MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, Calif. -- Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow Fire and Emergency Services personnel responded to a reported swift-water rescue in the Yermo, California area, August 11, 2026, successfully rescuing two people from a partially submerged vehicle despite challenging flood conditions and degraded communications.
Engine 402 Alpha and Engine 8402 Bravo were dispatched to provide mutual-aid assistance for the reported rescue. Initial dispatch information placed the incident on northbound Interstate 15 near Ghost Town Road. Due to an incorrect initial location and severely degraded radio communications in the area, E402A and Engine 382 initially attempted to access the scene from the wrong location.
“Their actions directly contributed to the successful resolution of a potentially life-threatening incident and exemplified the professionalism, courage, and commitment to public safety expected of Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow Fire and Emergency Services personnel”.Timothy Yonta, Station Captain
The actual incident was located near the base of Elephant Mountain, where radio communications remained significantly degraded. While responding, Engine 402 Alpha used MCLB Barstow Dispatch to relay critical information to San Bernardino County dispatch.
Engine 402 Alpha and Desert Ambulance Unit 8 arrived at the scene simultaneously and found two vehicles partially submerged in approximately three feet of moving water on Yermo Road.
Engine 402 Alpha immediately established Yermo Incident Command and conducted a scene assessment, evaluating the water conditions, vehicle stability and the occupants requiring assistance.
“The crew rapidly established command, identified and prioritized the immediate life hazard, prevented the occupants of the partially submerged pickup truck from attempting an uncontrolled self-rescue, continuously evaluated changing water conditions, and implemented a tethered rescue operation only after confirming that conditions and vehicle stability permitted safe entry,” Timothy Yonta, station captain, stated.
The first vehicle, a white minivan traveling eastbound on Yermo Road, had one occupant who had already been removed by civilians before emergency personnel arrived. Desert Ambulance Unit 8 personnel evaluated the occupant at the scene.
A second vehicle, a black pickup truck traveling westbound, remained partially submerged with two occupants inside. Both occupants were alert and responsive and indicated to firefighters that they were not injured.
Recognizing the hazards associated with attempting to exit a vehicle surrounded by moving water, firefighters instructed the occupants to remain inside until rescuers could safely reach and secure them.
While ambulance personnel assessed the minivan occupant, E402A personnel began establishing a swift-water rescue operation for the two occupants in the pickup truck.
Based on the resources and conditions at the scene, E402A advised E8402B personnel by cellular phone that sufficient resources were available and the additional unit could cancel its response.
As firefighters prepared for the rescue, water levels decreased from approximately three feet to approximately two feet, with little to no visible water movement. The crew continued to monitor the changing conditions and assess the stability of the pickup before committing a rescuer to the water.
Once firefighters determined the vehicle was stable and conditions permitted a controlled rescue, one E402A rescuer entered the water while secured to an established anchor system and tagline, Yonta explained.
The rescuer reached the pickup truck and assisted the two occupants from the vehicle one at a time, maintaining control of each individual as they moved through the remaining floodwater to a safe location.
Both occupants were removed without injury.
“Despiteincorrect initial location information, severely degraded communications, hazardous roadway and flood conditions, and limited immediately available resources, E402A personnel demonstrated exceptional situational awareness, sound judgment, and disciplined emergency operations throughout the incident,” Yonta said.
All three individuals involved in the incident were evaluated by Desert Ambulance Unit 8. Following medical assessments, all three declined further treatment and transportation and signed appropriate documentation.
While E402A personnel were conducting the rescue, Engine 382 attempted to reach the scene but became embedded in mud and flowing water. Engine 382 contacted E402A for assistance.
The E402A crew confirmed that Engine 382 personnel were not in immediate danger and did not require rescue assistance. The crew directed E382 to coordinate with San Bernardino County dispatch for towing assistance so the rescue team could remain focused on the civilians in the floodwater.
After completing the swift-water rescue, E402A responded to E382's location. E382 personnel confirmed they were safe, had arranged for towing assistance and did not require additional support.
Personnel with E402A subsequently cleared the scene and returned to quarters.
“Through thedecisive actions, technical proficiency, teamwork, and controlled risk management of E402A personnel, two individuals were safely removed from a vehicle surrounded by floodwater without injury to the victims or rescuers,” Yonta said. “Their actions directly contributed to the successful resolution of a potentially life-threatening incident and exemplified the professionalism, courage, and commitment to public safety expected of Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow Fire and Emergency Services personnel.”
The incident demonstrated the importance of preparation, communication and disciplined decision-making during emergency operations. Firefighters with MCLB Barstow FES maintained command of the incident, evaluated changing conditions and adjusted their response as conditions evolved.
The successful rescue reflects the professionalism and commitment of MCLB Barstow Fire and Emergency Services personnel to protecting lives and supporting the communities surrounding the installation.
For firefighters, the mission extends beyond responding to an emergency. It requires the ability to assess risk, communicate effectively, rely on training and make sound decisions under pressure.
In Yermo, those principles helped two people safely return home.
*Information for this article was provided by Timothy Yonta, station captain, MCLB Barstow Fire and Emergency Services