Garrett Mitchell
Emma Davis, 7, received an honor from Greer Fire Chief Dorian Flowers at Chandler Creek Elementary Tuesday.
Garrett Mitchell
Emma Davis was honored by the Greer Fire Department on the morning show at Chandler Creek Elementary Tuesday. Left to right are Deputy Fire Marshal Carl Howell, Fire Marshall Scott Keeley, Emma, and Fire Chief Dorian Flowers.
"I knew I had to get my family out,” of the burning house, Emma said.
The Chandler Creek Elementary School student, had days before, attended a children’s touch a truck fire safety event promoted by the Greer Fire Department.
Emma turned into a hero as she helped rescue her family from their burning home early last Wednesday morning.
She was presented with an award by the Greer Fire Department on Chandler Creek's morning student news program on Tuesday.
"You have to get out when you smell or see a fire," Emma said.
That's exactly what the brave second grader did. Davis' father, Jeff Ballenger, said.
“It was about two o'clock in the morning and smoke detectors started going off,” Ballenger said. “Me and Emma were the first two that woke up. She went back and got her grandmother awake and they went out together as (the house) filled up with smoke real thick.”
Ballenger was then able to help Emma's mother from the home, ensuring everyone made it out safely.
He credits Emma’s visit to the touch a truck event at Chick-fil-A for giving his daughter the knowledge to know what to do.
“While we were waiting on the fire department, my mother-in-law (Emma's grandmother) said, ‘You know what’s crazy is, we went to the Chick-fil-A three or four days before and went to the smoke house simulation’ and discussed that with the fire department.”
Greer Fire Chief Dorian Flowers praised Emma’s quick reaction and for helping rescue her family. Flowers called Emma a hero as he presented her with a certificate and gift card while her classmates watched.
“I can't say enough about Emma," Flowers said. "It really is amazing. I would love when she gets older, if she has an interest in being in the fire service, to come and join the fire department because that's few and far between."
"It feels good," said Emma of helping her family.
Flowers expressed the importance of touch a truck events and the need for more children to learn about fire safety and how to react when facing an emergency.
“We'll go out and bring the trucks and firefighters, and we'll bring out the smoke house, which is a training tool that we use to let someone practice the skills of getting out of a burning building," he said.
"We take every opportunity we can to get out in the community and teach fire prevention lessons."
Emma's family is thankful for her quick thinking.
"Once it was over she got a little upset, but while it was going down she was really brave," Ballenger said.