On Saturday, July 30, 2011 the IAFF Local 244 honored Driver Julian Trujillo and Firefighter Mathew Breeswine for rescuing a victim from the arroyo on a flash flood emergency in the arroyo system on July 24, 2011. We also honored the fire and rescue personnel at station 13 and all other crews that helped make this rescue possible. Several crews and Battalion Commanders stopped by to pay their respect to our brothers for their rescue.

Mathew Breeswine initially reached the victim on the bank of the arroyo.  Mathew said, “My first thoughts were to hold the victim out of the water until Julian arrived to assist.”  Julian Trujillo was also tied off and once he reached Mathew he assisted with grabbing and calming the victim.  Both Mathew and Julian pulled an exhausted and frightened victim to safety on the bank of the arroyo.  The victim was quickly assessed and treated by Rescue 13 Paramedics, Lieutenant Charles Dimas and Driver Casey Duree. This will mark Julian Trujillo’s third arroyo rescue to date!

The membership of the IAFF Local 244 by unanimous consent the July General Meeting created the “Honoring Our Own” ceremony and this event was the first of many more to come. Thank you all for your leadership.