AUSTIN — The Austin Fire Department held an awards ceremony to honor those who go above and beyond the call of duty.
The department also honored a very brave little boy.
A packed house filled City Hall Friday morning for the Austin Fire Department's annual awards ceremony. One by one, firefighters took the stage to be honored for their courage and bravery, including a young boy named Austin Cooper.
Cooper is not a firefighter, but this 8-year-old has already done something few can say they've ever done -- saved a life.
"He's amazing,” said Jennifer Cooper, Austin’s mom. “He's an angel."
Coopers actions when he was only six years old are the reason his mother lives today.
“I was shot in the head when I was nineteen, and because of the bullet fragments still embedded in my brain, I have seizures now. And that's why I lost the use of my right side,” said Jennifer.
Jennifer's seizures are something she's had to live with and wanted her son to be prepared to handle.
"If mommy has a seizure, or if you need help, you call any one of these numbers, and this is our address,” she told Austin.
In Jan. 2017, Jennifer began to have a seizure and needed help.
Austin didn't hesitate.
"When my mom went into a seizure, I called 911 instantly,” the 8-year-old said.
Austin said he didn't hesitate to call 911 because he'd done it before, after being trained by his mom.
“I've done it almost every day since I was four,” said Austin. "They said just stay on the phone and stay calm."
His calmness and bravery in that moment saved his mother's life and earned him a special award.
"I was so excited and happy because getting an award is really, really good,” said Austin.
"As a mom, I just don't think I can be prouder,” said Jennifer. “Got an awesome kid.”