Fire Captain

Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

1/10/1995

Special Act Award (Gold)

On January 10, 1995, CDF Fire Captain Michael A. Carr and Firefighter I Flint F. Oliver performed extraordinary acts of heroism at great personal risk to their own safety and lives. During a 100-year-flood, they rescued three victims (one disabled and one nonswimmer) trapped in a van submerged in a raging current of water runoff. At approximately 1609 hours, Captain Carr, along with Firefighter Oliver and several volunteer firefighters, arrived at the scene. Along with the three victims, the water contained an animal carcass, a propane tank, septic effluence, garbage, and other floating debris. Everyone was amazed the van stopped where it did instead of moving on to the North Fork of Honcut Creek. Captain Carr was trained in water rescue and knew rescues of the sort were only attempted with specialized equipment and specially trained personnel. He also knew this could very easily turn into a body recovery if they waited any longer for help. He assumed command and improvised the rescue with a canoe borrowed from a bystander. While Captain Carr wore a wet suit, water-rescue helmet, and personal flotation devise, Firefighter Oliver had only his work uniform, tennis shoes, and a personal flotation device. When the men waded out to the van, it was two hours since the victims were stranded. The shore crew loaded up a portable stretcher, webbing, lifeline, and other water rescue equipment into the canoe. Oliver waded back for the canoe and then took it out to the van where they attempted to secure it. Captain Carr called Gary Sanders and Dawn Osbourne out to steady the canoe so they could load the victims. Carr and Oliver assisted the victims, one at a time, into the canoe, and floated them to safety. Getting one victim out was particularly difficult as she was in second stage hypothermia, lethargic, nonresponsive, on the verge of unconsciousness, and completely unable to help.