Forest Firefighter

Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

6/22/1959

Special Act Award (Gold)

On June 22, 1959, Forest Firefighter Thomas J. Kennelly then employed by the California Division of Forestry at the Paso robles Forest Fire Station was a member of a crew responding to a grass and brush fire burning about ten miles east of Paso Robles. Upon arrival at the fire, the crew was assigned to and immediately attacked the head of the fire. At approximately 4:00 P.M. there was a sudden blow-up, which compelled Kennelly and his Foreman Leo L. Boyd to return to the cab of the fire truck in order to escape direct exposure to the flame. After the fire passed over the truck Boyd and Kennelly, because of the heat and lack of oxygen, were forced to leave the truck and go through the flames into the burned area. At that time Kennelly had received flash burns about his face. Soon after leaving the truck Kennelly found the Foreman Boyd’s clothing was on fire. He immediately went to Boyd’s assistance attempting to extinguish the fire by tearing off Boyd’s clothing with his bare hands. He eventually succeeded in this with great difficulty and exposure to himself. Because of Kennelly’s action he received extensive third-degree burns on his hands. For sometime the doctors thought he would suffer the loss of his fingers on both hands. We are happy to report that Kennelly will retain all of his fingers.