News Release – JUN12 – Medal of Valor
Four Cal Fire employees that work in San Luis Obispo county were awarded the governor’s state employee medal of valor, and were honored during a ceremony in Sacramento on June 12th.
The Medal of Valor is “the highest honor bestowed upon California state employees for extraordinary heroism performed at great personal risk.” Recipients of these awards were battalion chief Chad Fleming, fire captains Clint Marsalek, Carlos Pacheo, and Andrew Perez.
Fleming received his reward for his actions on the Gifford Fire in 2025; he rescued a civilian who was running down the highway while engulfed in flames. The three fire captains were awarded for a rescue that occurred on January 9, 2023 in Avila Beach, performing a swift water rescue of eight individuals from dangerous floodwaters during a winter storm.
