DES MOINES - The state today will celebrate ordinary Iowans who stepped up last year to accomplish extraordinary, selfless acts, frequently risking their own lives to help others.

Gov. Chet Culver and Gene Meyer, commissioner of the Iowa Department of Public Safety, will present the 2008 Governor's Lifesaving Awards at the Iowa State Fair.

In all, 49 individuals will be recognized.

"They are Iowa heroes," Culver said in a prepared statement.

Recipients are selected by a three-person panel within the department of public safety. Categories are:

Lifesaving with valor, for individuals who risked their own lives while saving another.

Lifesaving, for anyone who saved someone without apparent risk to their own life.

Meritorious service, for a person who offered service during an emergency.

In addition to lifesaving awards, the outstanding service award is presented to individuals who performed an unselfish act in the time of an emergency but not necessarily in a life-threatening situation.

Recipients in Northeast Iowa are:

Tianna Sullivan of Osage, Meritorious Service Award

The 17-year-old in January noticed a woman in a hospital gown standing in the middle of a street at 1:30 a.m. The temperature was about 8 degrees below zero. Marguerite Miller, 88, had walked out of a care facility and was not wearing shoes.

Miller clung to the teenager, which prevented Sullivan from getting her in the car. Instead, Sullivan called 911.

The next day Miller was taken to the burn center at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics in Iowa City where she was treated for severe frostbite on her hands and feet.

Danielle Seymour of Tama, Lifesaving Award

The 7-year-old girl jumped into the deep end of a swimming pool at the Meskwaki Bingo-Casino-Hotel to rescue a friend's 3-year-old niece. Danielle dove under water, grabbed the younger girl and pulled her to safety. Water gushed from the girl's mouth, but CPR was not necessary because of Danielle's quick reaction.

Darryl Putz of Manchester, Lifesaving with Valor

In December, Putz was on Iowa Highway 13 when he encountered a semi blocking the road. At the time, dense fog reduced visibility to a few feet.

As Putz turned off the road he saw an explosion in his rearview mirror. He called 911 and looked for survivors, discovering Harold Minor Jr., who was in the truck.

Putz entered the semi's cab , which was engulfed in flames, and protected Minor from additional burns with a blanket. Putz then unbuckled a seatbelt and pulled Minor to safety.

Putz suffered minor burns but then helped a firefighter from Ryan, handling a hose while the volunteer operated the pump.

Jennifer Bright of Allison, Meritorious Award

Bright was on her way home in April and was following a van. After cresting a hill, she saw the vehicle on its side in a ditch. The driver was standing nearby but appeared disoriented. The man indicated his children were still inside.

Bright entered the van twice and removed a 3-year-old and a 1-year-old child. She returned a third time to turn off the engine.

Casey Liekweg of Rockwell, Meritorious Award

Calley Steere of Greene, Meritorious Award

Beau Thompson of Greene, Lifesaving Award

Meg Thompson of Greene, Lifesaving Award

Corrine Thompson of Greene, Lifesaving Award

Leonard Weiss and Melvin Yerkes went ice fishing in April on a pond. Yerkes later left to make lunch.

As Weiss made his way to shore, he broke through the ice into 14 feet of water. He yelled for help, and 8-year-old Beau Thompson and his 5-year-old sister, Meg, ran for help.

The children's mother, Corrine Thompson, returned with Calley Steere, 18, and Casey Liekweg, 17. Corrine got a rope to Weiss, and with help from deputy Collin Freesemann, Steere and Liekweg, the group pulled the man out of the water.