Calaveras County CalFire employee honored

Keely Bosler, Ken Pimlott
and Justin Schmollinger

   In a press release by CalFire it names several firefighters throughout the state who will be honored with a Medal of Valor for their heroic efforts in dangerous circumstances.

   In Calaveras County, Fire Captain Justin
Schmollinger, CalFire Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit will be honored due to an event on April 15, 2016 at approximately 2:30 PM.

    Schmollinger, a resident of Valley Springs, was working with his inmate fire crew in the Valley Springs area when he noticed a large black column of smoke in the distance.

   Captain Schmollinger loaded his crew into the bus, went to investigate and arrived on scene to see a house in flames.

   Captain Schmollinger forced the back door open and called out to see if anyone was inside.

   Hearing what he thought was someone trying to yell, he entered the smoke filled burning home and found a semi-conscious man lying on the floor in the hallway.

   Captain Schmollinger quickly began pulling the man to the back door, but when he was within 10 feet of the door, he was overcome by smoke.

   He ran out the back door briefly, got a breath of fresh air, then re-entered the burning house and pulled the man completely out.

   After the victim was safely outside, Captain Schmollinger requested emergency medical service and an air ambulance.

   Once help arrived, Captain Schmollinger transferred car of the victim to the paramedics and helped firefighters extinguish the fire.

   The victim was treated at the hospital for burns and smoke inhalation and released.

   With no regard for his own safety, Captain Schmollinger's heroic service saved a
man from a burning house.