A BRAVE off-duty firefighter has been honoured for saving lives in the aftermath of the Glasgow bin lorry tragedy.

Watch Manager Allan Brown was relaxing and enjoying Christmas shopping in George Square with his children in Glasgow when the bin lorry careered out on control and killed six people.

He managed to make sure his children were safe before attempting to save those who had been hit by the truck.

By using his First Aid and emergency service skills, he was able to bring organisation to a chaotic scene.

When emergency services arrived, Allan was able to brief the officer in charge and update them on the condition of the casualties and fatalities he had helped.

Awards organisers said this "vitally important information" allowed the emergency services to prioritise action and ensure help was given to those most in need first.

Allan was among 45 extraordinary others from Scotland's emergency services who were given awards in recognition of their bravery by the First Minister at Edinburgh Castle.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, said: "The individual acts we are celebrating are exceptional and they are worthy of special recognition.

"In Scotland, there is a real sense of community and we must never forget how privileged we are to have such dedicated emergency professionals and members of the public, willing to assist even when their own lives are in danger.

"Hearing first-hand accounts of the bravery demonstrated during these events really drives home the incredible strength of character and the selfless acts undertaken.

"It’s vital for us to cherish and encourage that concern for others and we should be so proud of those brave men, women and young people.

"The awards are an opportunity for Scotland to say thank you to the Brave@Heart recipients, and indeed all those who were nominated.

"Their selflessness, compassion and courage is inspiring, and are an example to us all."

Glasgow Times:

Erin McQuade, 18, and her grandparents Jack Sweeney, 68, and Lorraine Sweeney, 69, from Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire, died from multiple injuries after being hit by the truck.

Stephenie Tait, 29, and Jacqueline Morton, 51, both from Glasgow, and Gillian Ewing, 52, from Edinburgh, were also killed as the lorry travelled out of control along Queen Street and towards George Square before crashing in to the side of the Millennium Hotel on December 22.

PCs Mark Tyson and Stewart Reid, who are based in Drumchapel, also received an award for quickly raising the alarm and saving young children from a burning building.

They managed to rouse the occupant of the flat that was on fire as well as evacuate families from nearby properties.

Brave@Heart 2015 panel member, Lindsay Burley, said: "It has been a great privilege to chair the judging panel for two consecutive years.

"The heroism that members of the public and our colleagues in the emergency services have demonstrated in order to save those in need is commendable.

"It has been a humbling and uplifting experience."