Battalion Chief

Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

10/26/2004

Special Act Award (Gold)

On October 26, 2004, CDF Battalion Chief Raymond Chaney performed an act of heroism, risking his own personal safety when the Cedar Fire spread rapidly from the San Diego River watershed southwesterly into the San Diego Country Estates. Realizing the significant threat to human life, he drove through a series of flame fronts to the Barona Ranch Canyon Casino and Resort to warn people of the fast approaching fire and its imminent danger. Upon arrival, Battalion Chief Chaney recognized the fire was moving faster than the combined evacuation force of San Diego County Sheriff’s deputies and state, federal, and local firefighters could respond. Observing that the entire Barona Indian Reservation was about to burn, Battalion Chief Chaney positioned his limited resources to defend the casino and resort. People were in a state of panic as the fire approached and many were attempting to leave the casino and resort in vehicles. There were 600-800 people at the casino as the fire approached. Hundreds of people would have been trapped on the road and overcome by the heat and flames if they had attempted to flee. Battalion Chief Chaney coordinated a massive rescue, instructing the casino manager to direct patrons and employees to a place of shelter, while his strike team of engines protected the casino from the fire.