David B. Shew
Battalion Chief
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
4/27/2007
Special Service Award (Silver)
On April 27, 2007, CAL FIRE Battalion Chief David Shew was waiting at a traffic signal when he noticed several vehicles slowing down. People were shouting that there was a man ready to jump off an over crossing. Chief Shew turned around and saw a man clinging to the outside of the chain link fence half way across the bridge. He turned on his red lights, repositioned his vehicle against the curb, and began to walk toward the chain linked fence. He went over to the edge of the bridge, and began to call to the man asking him what was wrong, and to please come back and talk with him.
Chief Shew continued talking to the victim, and the man slowly began to inch his way toward Chief Shew. Once the victim reached the edge of the fence, Chief Shew asked if it would be okay if he took a hold of his hand.
The man was sobbing as Chief Shew gently took his hand. The man repeatedly swayed backwards as Chief Shew tightened his grip on the man’s wrist, and gently pulled him back. He continued talking to the man, asking him to please come back over the metal railing and back down to the sidewalk. Finally, the man slowly stepped over the metal railing and down to the safety of the sidewalk. Chief Shew’s calm professionalism and skilled actions saved the man’s life, and prevented a potential traffic disaster if the man had fallen.
The man was sobbing as Chief Shew gently took his hand. The man repeatedly swayed backwards as Chief Shew tightened his grip on the man’s wrist, and gently pulled him back. He continued talking to the man, asking him to please come back over the metal railing and back down to the sidewalk. Finally, the man slowly stepped over the metal railing and down to the safety of the sidewalk. Chief Shew’s calm professionalism and skilled actions saved the man’s life, and prevented a potential traffic disaster if the man had fallen.