Caltrans Equipment Operator II

Department of Transportation

12/22/2010

Special Act Award (Gold)

On December 22, 2010, at approximately 6:30 a.m., Caltrans Equipment Operator II Jose J. Linares began his storm patrol shift on State Route 330 in the San Bernardino Mountains. The route was closed at approximately 3:00 a.m. that morning due to major storm damage and roadway collapse. Heavy rains had already caused road failure at several locations along the route and there were numerous mud and rock slides. Mr. Linares was asked to assist the Running Springs Fire Department; they were trying to reach a property owner in the lower section of Route 330 who had suffered devastating flood damage to his property and needed help rescuing an injured horse trapped inside a collapsed barn. Mr. Linares drove a loader to meet the firefighters and began clearing the roadway for their equipment. It became apparent that the property was unreachable with the vehicles, so Mr. Linares dug a path for them to access the residence on foot, escorted them there, and then assisted with the horse rescue. Once the rescue was complete, Mr. Linares continued to clear a path for the fire personnel for three hours, despite the threat of mudslides and boulders falling on the roadway.