Fish and Game Warden

Department of Fish and Wildlife

8/8/1959

Special Act Award (Gold)

On August 8, 1959, Warden Richard B. Kramer, while on routine patrol in the back country of Orange County, observed a forest fire in the Cleveland National Forest. He immediately proceeded into the fire area to offer his assistance to the firefighting agencies. After entry into the fire area, the fire reached such proportions that any exit would be through a raging fire area with severe heat and smoke and the danger of falling and burning timbers. Warden Kramer found a position that offered him personal safety that was already burned out. He observed three badly burned firemen and stopped to help them. He offered to attempt to transport them to a hospital. The three fireman refused at first saying they didn’t have a chance to get through the fire. Warden Kramer finally convinced them it was worth trying. On the way out, he observed two more badly burned firemen, one burned so critically he could not more. Warden Kramer stopped, put them in the car and continued. He drove through the fire and radioed ahead to alert the Corona hospital. On arrival at the hospital with the five emergency cases, he further assisted the doctors and nurses by cutting away the wounded firemen’s clothing and making them as comfortable as possible. Of the five badly burned firemen, two survived, thanks to Warden Kramer.