Fire Service Training Specialist III

Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

7/20/1986

Special Act Award (Gold)

Fire Service Training Specialist III Raymond M. Russell, on July 20, 1986 performed and extraordinary act of heroism at great risk to his personal safety and life while rescuing a severely injured pilot from an approaching wild land fire at the crash site in extremely rugged territory in Chino Hills. On the above date at approximately 1930 hours Specialist Russell while out for a Sunday drive, responded to a reported wild land fire and, upon arrival, volunteered to assist in locating access to the top of the fire which resulted from the crash of a private plane. The critically injured pilot was still at the crash site. Specialist Russell, without regard to his own personal safety and placing himself in great danger proceeded down the edge of a very steep canyon through the unburned brush and aviation fuel to reach the pilot. The magnitude of the fire conditions and steepness of the terrain made that a tremendously difficult endeavor and extremely unsafe situation. Using his “fire shelter” to beat back the approaching fire. Specialist Russell dragged the pilot to a “safe” area and spent more than an hour attending to him while the surrounding fire threatened them with heavy smoke, heat and fire brands. At one point Specialist Russell used his bare hands to put out the many fire brands that were landing on the victim and himself. Despite the intense heat and the possibility of being overcome by the approaching fire, Specialist Russell remained with the victim until help arrived.