Fire Captain Specialist

Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

7/26/2018

Special Act Award (Gold)

On July 26, 2018, during the Carr Fire, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Fire Captain Shawn Raley and Fire Captain Specialist Darren Stewart persevered in their duties at great personal risk amidst erratic fire behavior and an unprecedented, deadly fire weather event. Captain Raley and Captain Specialist Stewart made multiple trips in the Stanford Hills and Land Park subdivisions and successfully evacuated residents who had not previously been ordered to leave. While they were conducting the evacuations, conditions deteriorated to the point that their own lives were in peril. While leading civilian evacuees out of the neighborhood, Captain Raley learned that a family of three was still at home in the Stanford Hills subdivision and made the decision to return to help them evacuate. During this time, a fire tornado was seen approaching the area. Captain Raley reached the family and loaded them into his truck. As they were leaving the community, they joined Captain Specialist Stewart, who was driving his own truck. Both vehicles were forced to travel slowly due to the heavy smoke. Suddenly both trucks were struck by flying debris, rocks and embers. The vehicles began to shake violently and the passenger windows shattered as they were hit by the fire tornado. Captain Specialist Stewart saw a person attempting to get into his truck and directed him to climb into the back seat. He then saw a second man running toward him wrapped in a fire shelter. Captain Specialist Stewart directed the second man, who had been operating a bulldozer that was damaged by the fire tornado, into the back seat as well. Despite the damage to their vehicles, Captain Raley and Captain Specialist Stewart were able to drive away from the danger and deliver their passengers to other first responders, who treated their injuries and evacuated them from the area. Captain Raley and Captain Specialist Stewart saved the family of three, another individual and the bulldozer operator whose vehicle burnt during the fire tornado. With no regard for his own safety, Captain Specialist Stewart went above and beyond the call of duty. The State of California takes great pride in presenting the Gold Medal of Valor to California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Fire Captain Specialist Darren Stewart.