Amador-El Dorado CAL FIRE

(PLACERVILLE, CALIFORNIA) Aug 3, 2022 — Amador-El Dorado Division Chief Erich Schwab is a recipient of the 2020/2021 Governor’s State Employee Medal of Valor.

The Governor’s State Employee Medal of Valor is the highest honor California bestows upon its employees. Gold medals are awarded for an extraordinary act of heroism by a State employee extending far above and beyond the normal call of duty or service, performed at great risk to his or her own life in an effort to save human life.

In 2018 Chief Schwab was the Helicopter Coordinator (HELCO) on the Carr fire.

He and his pilot conducted a rescue of multiple civilians in a dangerous area ahead of the fire putting themselves in imminent danger.

The Carr Fire burned 229,651 in Shasta and Trinity Counties.