Photos: American Legion honors Anchorage paramedic

Updated: June 28, 2016 Published: April 28, 2015

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Firefighter/Paramedic David Holsman of Fire Station 5 in Spenard and wife Bobbi listen to remarks as he receives the American Legion Western Region Firefighter of the Year award for 2015 on Monday, April 27, 2015, at the Anchorage Fire Department Training Center.

Firefighter/paramedic David Holsman of Fire Station 5 in Spenard is congratulated by colleagues after he received the American Legion Western Region Firefighter of the Year award for 2015 on Monday, April 27, 2015, at the Anchorage Fire Department Training Center.

Holsman, who has been with Station 5 since 1999, has been involved in researching new treatment protocols, technology and methods available to AFD that can be used to improve the quality of care to the public. He has been honored on two occasions for saving patients in cardiac arrest.

"It's a great honor, especially being nominated by my peers, " he said afterward. "That's extra special. They are the guys you work with every day."

Nate Carter and Kirk Waldhaus of American Legion were on hand to present the award. Holsman is now one of five in the running for the American Legion National Firefighter of the Year Award.