The Maui County Department of Fire and Public Safety announced Thursday that firefighter Lawrence Crilley of the Kihei station became the first Hawaii firefighter to win the prestigious Liberty Mutual Firemark Award, honoring “the valor and selfless spirit of firefighters who take the ultimate risk to keep our communities safe.”

Crilley was presented with the statewide award at the Kahului station’s training classroom on Wednesday by Fire Chief Jeffrey Murray, County of Maui Managing Director Sheri Morrison and Liberty Mutual’s Leilani Johnson.

Crilley’s nomination came from his action s on April 27, 2008, when, while off duty, he saved a man that was found unconscious and floating in waters off Tavares Bay.

As a recipient of the award, Crilley has been nominated to receive Liberty Mutual’s national award. National winners will be selected in early 2010 and are presented with $10,000 grants for their fire departments.