Fire Captain

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 Byron Vance was a helicopter coordinator trainee. Flying along with him in the helicopter was California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Fire Battalion Chief Erich Schwab, helicopter coordinator. They responded to a radio report from Bulldozer Operator Don Smith advising that he was cut off by fire. They directed a series of coordinated water drops by multiple helicopters on Operator Smith's last known location. Recognizing the severity of the situation, their own helicopter maneuvered through extreme weather conditions until they were able to see Operator Smith’s location. They maintained visual contact with the area and provided updates and direction to ground and air resources until the scene was stabilized. A short time later, Captain Vance and Chief Schwab noted deteriorating weather conditions, increased fire activity and a large vortex of smoke and flame. In an effort to support evacuations already in progress, Chief Schwab directed another helicopter to maintain routes of travel for the evacuees with water drops. In the course of that assignment, the helicopter reported two occupied vehicles trapped by fire at the end of a driveway near the Sacramento River. Chief Schwab ordered the helicopter to drop its bucket and land to aid the people who were trapped in their vehicles while directing his own helicopter to do the same. Upon landing, Chief Schwab told Captain Vance to make contact with one of the vehicles while the other helicopter crew assisted the occupants of the second vehicle. Captain Vance ran about a quarter mile from the helicopter landing zone to the endangered vehicle. There was an elderly couple with debilitating medical conditions inside the vehicle attempting to escape the oncoming flames. Captain Vance took control of the vehicle and drove back to the helicopter. Captain Vance and Chief Schwab helped load the couple into the helicopter and flew them to safety. Once the couple were safe at a nearby landing zone, Captain Vance and Chief Schwab returned to their assignment. With no regard for his own safety, Captain Vance 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 Battalion Chief Byron Vance.