Battalion Chief

Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

8/20/2001

Special Act Award (Gold)

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Battalion Chief Dennis M. Boren, on August 20th, 2001, performed an act of heroism to his own personal safety when he rescued three citizens who become trapped during the North Fork Fire in Eastern Madera County. On August 20th, 2001, at approximately 3:00 p.m., CDF Chief Officer, Battalion Chief Boren received word from an Air Tactical Group Supervisor that a resident's escape route was cut-off by fire and smoke as the North Fork Fire rapidly spread through the 5 to 20 acre residential parcels. Chief Boren advised the Air Tactical Group Supervisor of his intentions to attempt a rescue and headed toward the residence. Driving through almost impossible conditions Chief Boren found the citizen in the company of two neighbors who had come to assist her. Only expecting to find one stranded citizen and not three, Chief Boren realized that he couldn't transport all three citizens in his assigned pick-up. He then directed the trio to follow him in their own vehicle instructing them to "Roll up your windows, stay right on my bumper, I don't care if you hit me, just don't stop and don’t lose sight of me!" Although the journey back to safety was perilous and the quartet's escape route was cloaked with billowing smoke and blowing ash giving very little visibility, the residents did as they had been instructed and Chief Boren was able to lead all three to safety. All who witnessed this event agree that if it had not been for Chief Boren's heroic efforts that day, the three citizens would not have been able to safely escape the fire danger.



Chief Boren's quick action, courage, and disregard for his own personal safety quite possible resulted in the saving of three lives.