Firefighter

Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

3/3/2020

Special Act Award (Gold)

In the early hours of March 3, 2020, Firefighter Chad Burns responded to the City of Temecula for a confined space rescue. Upon arrival, it was determined that a victim was yelling for help from a storm water run-off pipe system. Firefighter Burns, the primary rescuer, entered the pipe system to rescue the victim. Upon entering the 36-inch pipe, he traveled 100 feet and then made entry into an 18-inch pipe. Firefighter Burns traversed approximately 175 feet into the 18-inch pipe, maximizing the capability of the rescue system. Firefighter Burns, like many other confined space technicians, has completed this task in a training situation on a small scale, but never at such a distance while wearing full personal protective equipment, a rope system with harness, and supplied-air respirator. In order to move, Firefighter Burns had to completely stretch out and crawl through the tight space. To retreat, he had to crawl backwards through the pipe. Firefighter Burns made his way down the pipe system in the cold and dark without knowing how far he was going to travel. All the while, the victim, who was acting erratically, made violent threats to Firefighter Burns while he was making his way forward. Firefighter Burns had no idea what direction the victim was facing within the pipe system; had he been face to face with the victim, he could have easily been attacked. Firefighter Burns would have had an extremely difficult time trying to escape to safety had this occurred. At any point, Firefighter Burns could have stopped the rescue attempt due to safety concerns but he continued forward without hesitation. The first attempt was unsuccessful because the rope system detached from the victim. A handful of other rescuers attempted to reach the victim but none of them could traverse the 18-inch pipe because of the stress and anxiety caused by the narrow space. Firefighter Burns was called upon again to attempt a second rescue and he did not hesitate. He courageously talked another rescuer out of going into the pipe because he did not want him to have to go through the same ordeal that he had just experienced. Firefighter Burns, now cold and wet, went through the pipe a second time. The victim began throwing things at Firefighter Burns as he was making his way through the pipe. The victim retreated further up the pipe system beyond the 300-foot maximum distance that standard rescue systems are able to accommodate. Firefighter Burns’ efforts surpassed the standards and expectations as he put himself at great risk to save another human life. With no regard for his own safety, Firefighter Burns 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 Firefighter Chad Burns.