Fire Apparatus Engineer

Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

7/25/2015

Special Service Award (Silver)

On July 25, 2015, at approximately 3:00 p.m., California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Fire Apparatus Engineer Johnny Miller was boating with his family in a remote area of the Colorado River in Lake Havasu, Arizona, when he saw a boat suddenly submerge, throwing two infants and four adults into the water. None of the adults were wearing life vests. The water was very rough and visibility was limited due to the many speed boats drag racing on this particular section of the river. Engineer Miller immediately called out to the adults to move away from the rapidly sinking boat and then, without hesitation, jumped into the choppy water. The two infants were wearing life vests; however, they were so young their vests were ineffective and they could not keep their heads above the churning water. Engineer Miller swam out and had both babies in his arms in a matter of minutes. With the infants safely in his care, Engineer Miller then swam over and rescued their mother, who couldn’t swim, and assisted all three to a waiting boat. The men also lacked life vests, but were able to swim to the boat as directed by Engineer Miller.