Mannford 3rd-Grader Becomes Honorary Firefighter For Saving His Family

The Mannford Fire Department made a nine-year-old boy an honorary firefighter on Thursday after he helped save his family when their home caught on fire days before Christmas.

He recently learned about 911 at school during Fire Prevention Week. At Mannford Lower Elementary, the school gets together every month for an assembly to give out awards. But Thursday, the fire chief made a special announcement that one nine-year-old and his family will never forget.

Moments after students filed into the cafeteria for their student and teacher of the month awards assembly, firefighters made a surprise appearance to honor Cahill Griffin.

"I just expected it to be just normal, I did not expect, I did not expect this at all,” Cahill said.

Days before Christmas, Cahill heard a loud noise and saw smoke through a window, then woke up his parents.

"He woke us up and I ran out of the house to try to get the garden hose and as I was running out I said, 'Get the phone, call 911,’” Cahill’s mom, Julie, said.

Dispatcher: "Creek County 911? Cahill: “Um, 911, help, our house is on fire!"

With some help from his mom, Cahill communicated the family’s address to the dispatcher.

Dispatcher: "Is everybody out of the house?

Cahill: “I think so. I don't know about my dad!"

Dispatcher: "Ok. I've got the fire department on the way. Everybody needs to stay out of the house, OK?

Cahill: “OK, OK. It's freezing out here!"

The family lost everything to the fire, but everyone got out safe.

"This selfless act of concern for your family's well-being saved your family's lives. And your actions will inspire everyone to know what to do in an emergency. And I personally want to thank you,” Mannford Fire Chief Bob Evans said while presenting a certificate to Cahill at the school assembly.

The third-grader is now an honorary Mannford firefighter. Wearing his new personalized shirt, and with his sister Morgan by his side, Cahill got some pictures with his fellow first responders before heading back to class.

Cahill remembered what he learned during fire prevention week at school, which was two months before the fire.

"To just know that he had really took what they taught to heart and then put it into action, ya, can't talk about it without crying but, without him, it would have turned out so much different, or could have,” Julie said.

Now the Griffins are working to build a new home, knowing they will be safe with a firefighter in the family.