Pipeline Safety Engineer

Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

6/21/2023

Special Act Award (Gold)

On June 21, 2023, Pipeline Safety Engineer Al Giese witnessed a vehicle accident directly ahead of him near Buttonwillow on Interstate 5 as he headed toward Crimson Pipeline Beer Nose Facility. He pulled over to lend assistance and ensure notifications were made to emergency responders. Mr. Giese checked the damaged SUV for the condition of the occupants. A male driver and a female passenger were inside the vehicle and clustered in the front passenger seat. The driver was mobile and calling for help and the passenger was immobile but breathing. Mr. Giese advised the driver to leave the passenger in a sitting position to help their breathing until emergency responders arrived. While waiting for emergency responders, smoke began to appear within the cab of the damaged SUV. Mr. Giese found that a small fire had started near the front brake area of the vehicle. After unsuccessfully stopping the fire, a decision was made to remove the passenger from the vehicle which was soon engulfed in flames. Unfortunately, the driver had not revealed that the car contained explosive fireworks. As a result, the passenger again needed to be moved to another location away from the ongoing blasts and dangerous fire that had spread to the interstate shoulder and shut down traffic in both directions. Emergency responders then arrived and aided the passenger and mitigated the fire. Due to internal injuries, unfortunately, the passenger did not survive. Mr. Giese's duties are typically related to inspections of pipelines and pipeline facilities. His responsibilities do not involve responding to emergencies nor acting as a first responder, but he saw that people’s lives were at risk and acted heroically without hesitation and at great risk to himself to ensure their welfare. The State of California takes great pride in presenting the Gold Medal of Valor to California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Pipeline Safety Engineer Al Giese for his extraordinary act of heroism extending far above and beyond the normal call of duty.