• January 31, 2025

Palisades Reunion

Palisades Reunion

Palisades Reunion 150 150 Ron Fisher

On Friday, January 24, 2025, in a touching and heartfelt reunion, County of Los Angeles Fire Department (LACoFD) Fire Captain Malcolm Dicks was reunited with Patty Philips and her dog, Koda, at Fire Station 70 in the City of Malibu.

This heartwarming gathering celebrated a life-saving rescue during the devastating Palisades wildfire, where Big Rock community resident, Patty and Koda, found their vehicle stuck on a large rock while driving down a dirt path and trying to evacuate.  Patty was unable to move her car and feared that leaving the vehicle would risk her and Koda going over an embankment.

As Patty was calling 9-1-1 for help, her husband, James, who had made is safely to Pacific Coast Highway, was frantically looking for a first responder to help.  Without hesitation, Malcolm and James navigated a dangerous path by truck and were able to locate and successfully rescue Patty and Koda, bringing them both to safety.

During this reunion, the swift and selfless action of LACoFD Captain Dicks, were met with an outpouring of gratitude, admiration, and tears of appreciation.

Attending the event was Los Angeles County Third District Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, LACoFD Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone, Patty’s husband and son, and fellow first responders.  During the ceremony, Fire Chief Marrone said, “I want to commend Malcolm for his quick actions and compassion in going above and beyond the call of duty to rescue and save Patty and Koda, especially when the conditions of the Palisades Fire were perilous and incomprehensible.”

The LACoFD expresses its gratitude and sincere appreciation to Captain Dicks for taking decisive action and displaying extraordinary courage in going above and beyond the call of duty to rescue Patty and Koda.

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