Fire Apparatus Engineer

Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

10/1/2017

Special Act Award (Gold)

On October 1, 2017, at 10:08 pm., California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Fire Apparatus Engineer Christopher Wetzel was attending the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas when gunfire rang out, striking concert goers across the venue. With more than 1,000 rounds fired, this incident was the deadliest mass shooting committed by an individual in the United States, killing over 50 people and injuring over 500. Once Engineer Wetzel realized the gravity of the situation, he took shelter under a table. Suddenly the gunfire ceased, allowing him to tend to an injured man suffering from an abdominal wound. Gunfire began again and despite the bullets whizzing by and shrapnel flying, Engineer Wetzel laid on top of the man to protect him. The bullets ceased again and other bystanders continued to assist the injured man while Engineer Wetzel got his wife to safety. Shortly after, the gunfire began again, and as he was making his way out of the venue, he noticed another injured man who appeared dazed and pale, stumbling around with blood pouring from his leg. Engineer Wetzel assisted him to safety then assessed his injuries and applied pressure to his wound. Eventually, an ambulance rushed the injured man to the hospital. With no regard for his own safety, Engineer Wetzel went above and beyond the call of duty, saving an innocent bystander’s life. The State of California takes great pride in presenting this Gold Medal of Valor to California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Fire Apparatus Engineer Christopher Wetzel.