GOSHEN, N.Y. -- David Phillips has good reason to be at the Orange County Emergency Services Center. His son, Justin, is receiving an award. The Washingtonville firefighter saved someone's life last year.

"It was amazing. Thankfully, I was able to keep my level head, and follow training, and save him. Got him back to life," said Justin Phillips.

Justin Phillips was one of a number of local firemen, police officers and EMS workers receiving praise Tuesday in Goshen. Congresswoman Nan Hayworth hosted a first responders recognition ceremony, honoring those in uniform whose selfless actions sometimes do save lives.

"These are people who don't do the job they do because they're expecting recognition, but they richly deserve it," said Hayworth.

The 59-year-old man Justin Phillips rescued from dying last July, though, isn't a total stranger. On a family vacation in Pennsylvania, the life he's credited with saving is his own father's.

"My wife heard a noise and she put her hand on my chest and nothing was going on. They flipped the light on and my wife actually saw me roll my eyes and die," said David Phillips.

"I went down to my father's hotel room and he wasn't breathing. I instructed my mother to call 911. I quickly did an assessment on it, and basically began CPR on him. I've been a volunteer since I was 16 years old. I'm also a New York City fireman, so training really kicked in," said Justin Phillips.

The Phillips say they'll be heading back to Pennsylvania in a few months for another family vacation - one that they hope will have more laughs, and less "lifesaving."

"You already love them to infinite as it is - infinite and beyond. It's already there," said the elder Phillips.

"I was able to save my father's life. I don't think you can get much better than that really," said the younger Phillips.

Hard to top ... indeed.

The original article published by YNN Hudson Valley can be found here.