Caltrans Equipment Operator II

Department of Transportation

12/21/2010

Special Act Award (Gold)

On December 21, 2010, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Caltrans employees Brian Borella, Joe J. Martinez, and Alberto P. Miramontes began their storm patrol shifts on State Route 330 in the San Bernardino Mountains where heavy rain had been falling for 24 hours. Mudslides were occurring and rocks were falling onto the roadway at numerous locations. At approximately 3:00 a.m. on December 22, due to the increasing severity of the situation, the men requested the route be closed for the safety of motorists. They had been plowing continuously since their twelve hour shifts began. One lane at the bottom of the road was closed earlier in the evening and vehicles were being escorted through. As the crew began closing the route, there were still as many as 10-15 vehicles on the road with approximately 20 people inside. They realized they would have to lead the motorists out. Severe slides over six feet high rendered the roadway impassable in several locations and the men had to stop their vehicles, punch holes in the mud and rock blockages and escort the motorists through. Large rocks were falling and striking the vehicles; debris was raining down on them as well. The roadway was visibly failing in two locations, yet due to Mr. Borella, Mr. Martinez, and Mr. Miramontes, everyone made it out safely. The decision to request the road closure displayed Mr. Borella’s, Mr Martinez’s and Mr. Miramontes’s sense of duty and responsibility to the public’s trust. Their decision to escort stranded motorists out of a deteriorating roadway during a major storm at great risk to their own safety demonstrated courage and commitment to the traveling public.