Battalion Chief

Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

6/3/2006

Special Act Award (Gold)

On July 3, 2006, CAL FIRE Battalion Chief Rick Moore responded to a fire which threatened a home and several out-buildings. Through very thick smoke, he saw a family in an area immediately threatened by the swift moving vegetation fire. He also saw a woman operating a riding lawn mower, who was attempting to remove dead vegetation from the perimeter of the property. He approached her and told her to stop and move to a position of safety, away from the fire. Believing she would follow his direction, he focused his attention on the other family members. He entered the house, and removed them to a safe, green-grassy area away from the fire, where they were shielded from the heat and smoky conditions. Chief Moore proceeded to return to his duties, but saw the woman on the riding mower had ignored his direction and was in immediate danger of being overrun by fire. He ran to her aid as the fire overran her and helped her to the ground, covering her with his body as the flames passed over them both. Chief Moore then summoned advanced life support resources and available personnel to assist him in treating the woman for burn and smoke inhalation injuries. Although he successfully aided the three family members, unfortunately the woman was unable to recover from her injuries. However, without the life-saving efforts of Chief Rick Moore, a greater loss of life might surely have been experienced.