Communications Operator

Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

12/18/2020

Special Service Award (Silver)

On December 18, 2020, while traveling home from a 12-hour duty shift at the Emergency Communications Center in San Bernardino, CA, off-duty Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Communications Operator Barbara Loescher found herself at the scene of a major traffic collision in Crestline, CA. There were two vehicles, one of which was on fire, the other which contained an unconscious passenger. Ms. Loescher began administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), after determining the unconscious passenger was not breathing, until on-duty first responders arrived at scene. The driver of the other vehicle attempted to flee the scene. Ms. Loescher leveraged her experience as a former California Highway Patrol Communications Operator to successfully detain the driver until police officers arrived. With no regard for her own safety, Ms. Loescher went above and beyond the call of duty. The State of California takes great pride in presenting the Silver Medal of Valor to Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Communications Operator Barbara Loescher.