MICHIGAN – Andrew Palmer of Bingham Farms, Mich., received the Heroism Award Wednesday from the Boy Scouts Of America for saving his family from their burning home last year.

Back in August 2011, Palmer awoke to find his house engulfed in flames. But rather than freak out, the fifth grader took immediate action. He told his mother, then ran down the hall yelling “Fire!” and waking up his sister. Palmer’s mother, Jann, woke up his two brothers. His father wasn’t home at the time of the fire, but he was understandably filled with pride. “I’m really proud of what he did,” Lewis Palmer said.

At Palmer’s school, Bingham Elementary, the kind words kept coming. “We always say our motto is we’re bringing our Bingham best, and Andrew really personified that,” Principal Russ Falcone said. The school honored Palmer for his brave actions last year as well.

Fortunately, nobody was injured in the fire, which forced the Palmers to move out for 8 months while their house was renovated.

Southland Fire Chief Keith Rowley will also give Palmer a Tribute Award from Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence.