Fire Captain

Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

9/10/2001

Special Act Award (Gold)

California Department of Forestry, Fire Captain Mike Brunson, on September 10th, 2001, performed an act of heroism at risk to his own personal safety when he safely transported two fire engines, their crews, and a pickup to safety during a burn-over during the Darby Fire Incident. On September 10th, 2001, Captain Brunson was a part of an engine strike team working in the Doud’s Landing area of the Darby Incident in the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit. In route to their assignment, Captain Brunson’s engine and the one he was following stopped to attack a spot fire. As the fire activity escalated, Captain Brunson recognized the danger signs, warned others and began moving equipment to a secure area. First, he moved an engine parked in front of his to a safe area, he saw that the fire activity had increased to a point that called for abandoning control operations and moving all personnel and equipment to a safe area. He then moved a CDF pickup to the safety area because of spotting and rapidly increasing fire intensity. After parking the pickup, Captain Brunson was ready to go back for his engine and the two engine crews. By this time, however, the roadway was engulfed by fire and an attempt was made to take Captain Brunson back to his engine in a dozer tender, but the operator decided that it was unsafe due to the fuel in the back of his truck. Undaunted, Captain Brunson secured all of his personal protective equipment and ran back down the hot and extremely smoky road to his engine. When he arrived at the engine he found a campaign and six firefighters in the cab with shelters deployed to cover the windows. He opened the door on the driver side. Got in the cab and drove the engine to the safe area. After arriving at the safe area, Captain Brunson determined the status and well being of his crew. His engine had sustained paint and light damage but was otherwise fully serviceable. Without Captain Brunson’s actions, lives could have been at risk and substantial damage would have been sustained b the three CDF units he moved and the fire to a home he and his crew extinguished. Captain Brunson’s courage and determination in the face of danger make him deserving of the Medal of Valor.