Twin Cities Man Honored With 'Man In The Red Bandanna Hero Award'

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Twin Cities man is being honored with the "Man In The Red Bandanna Hero Award."

That award is named after Welles Crowther, who saved at least a dozen lives on 9/11, heading back into the World Trade Center to help people out instead of saving himself. He was wearing a red bandanna on that day, and became know as "The Man in the Red Bandanna."

Now, Discovery TV is launching an American Hero's Channel, and they've come up with the "Man In The Red Bandanna Hero Award." A Twin Cities man is the first recipient: Jake Laferriere.

Laferriere is the founder of Firefighters For Healing. The Minneapolis firefighter was injured battling a house fire in 2010. Now, through his nonprofit organization, Jake is helping other burn survivors.

Related: Mpls. Firefigher May Be Among Nation's Most Inspiring

The First Annual Firefighters for Healing Red Tie Gala is coming up in November.