Eight-year-old Shaylee Maxson woke up in the middle of the night in June and spotted a fire growing on her family's back porch in Wesley Chapel. She ran to wake her mother.

That decision gave all six people inside the home the seconds they needed to get out alive.

Pasco County Fire Rescue (PCFR) honored Maxson with its Lifesaver Award during the week of Sept. 7, recognizing her for actions the agency said saved her family's lives. The Hernando Sun first reported the award on Thursday, Sept. 10.

Firefighters who responded confirmed the fire would have spread too quickly for everyone to escape, according to a PCFR Facebook post announcing the award. Had the family not left when they did, the outcome could have been fatal.

Instead of freezing, Maxson acted. PCFR called her one of the bravest heroes the agency has recognized, saying she earned the Lifesaver Award through courage well beyond her years. The agency wrote that her actions saved lives and that her community is proud of her.

The PCFR post drew more than 26,000 views and 575 reactions from Pasco County residents.

PCFR used the announcement to urge all families to prepare for emergencies. The agency encouraged residents to create a fire escape plan, discuss it regularly and practice it with everyone in the household. Those few seconds of preparation, the agency said, can save lives when it matters most.

No details about the cause of the June fire or the extent of damage to the Maxson home have been released.

Upcoming Wesley Chapel community events

• Saturday, Oct. 3: Free Gardening 365 Festival returns to Wesley Chapel. Details here.