Division Chief

Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

10/3/2017

Special Service Award (Silver)

On October 3, 2017, at 6:00 a.m., two crewmen from the Mono County Road Department discovered an occupied home whose porch was engulfed in flames. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Division Chief Paul Melendrez happened upon the scene on his way to work, as well. All three men quickly utilized the limited local water supply and fire extinguishers to slow the spread of the flames. Without wearing any personal protective gear, Chief Melendrez broke the window, entered into the burning building, and assisted two adults and two children to safety. The three men continued to fight the fire, knocking it down by the time the local fire department arrived. Without the assistance of Chief Melendrez the residents would have been overcome by the smoke and fire. With no regard for his own safety, Chief Melendrez’s heroic service saved a family from a burning home. The State of California takes great pride in presenting this Silver Medal of Valor to California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Division Chief Paul Melendrez.