Robert Dashiell
Fire Apparatus Engineer
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
1/5/1979
Special Act Award (Gold)
Fire Apparatus Engineer Robert Dashiell, on January 5, 1979, performed an extraordinary act of heroism at great risk to his personal safety and life in rescuing two persons from rain-swollen Salt Creek near Canyon Lake in Riverside County.
At approximately 9:08 pm, Engineer Dashiell responded as a volunteer to assist in the rescue of a man and a woman stranded on top of a partially submerged vehicle. In spite of debris and swift currents, Dashiell twice entered the swollen creek, with a rope tied around his waist, and made repeated attempts to get a safety line to the individuals. Before rescue could be accomplished, the car was swept downstream by rising floodwaters, forcing the victims to jump. The rushing water carried them out of sight. Nearby, where Salt Creek enters Canyon Lake, Engineer Dashiell commandeered a small, non-motorized boat to search for the victims. Since debris and strong currents made progress extremely difficult, he climbed up on top of a floating dock for a better view. Locating the victims in some floating debris several feet from the end of the dock, Engineer Dashiell took off his life vest and threw it to the woman. He then entered the water and, while hanging onto the dock, extended his legs to the victims, pulled the two people to safety and assisted in getting them to the hospital.