Class Title: Unknown

Department of Transportation

2/18/1986

Special Service Award (Silver)

During the infamous “Floods of ‘86”, on February 18, 1986, at the “Y” intersection of State Routes 121 and 12, Sonoma County, Donald F. Kiser observed a car stalling amid rapidly rising waters. Following a call to a co-worker for assistance, he entered the water and attempted to secure the car’s bumper with a chain. Unsuccessful in his effort, he saw the vehicle starting to drift into an even deeper location. He quickly made his way back to his truck, tied a life line around his waist, and went to the rapidly submerging vehicle which contained a young couple and their two-year old daughter. First rescuing the young child by carrying her back to his co-worker, he made his way back to the vehicle to rescue the young couple. At one point during this time, the water level was windshield high with only a 12 to 18-inch air pocket in which to breathe. In all, he made six trips to the vehicle-endangering his life for the safety of others. The CHP reported that Kiser and his co-worker saved the lives of those three people.