Off duty firefighters recognized for acting during Bakersfield Christmas Parade

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Bakersfield Fire Department recognized eight firefighters who were off-duty when they sprang into action to help three people hit by an alleged drunk driver at last year's Christmas parade.

The ceremony took place just feet from the crash, that changed the lives of so many including the first responders being recognized.

Five Bakersfield city firefighters and three Kern County firefighters sprang into action during last year's Christmas parade chaos.

"Whether it's on-duty, off-duty. Whether they have the personal protective gear or the equipment to act, they're willing to step up and take action," Bakersfield Fire Department Chief John Frando said.

The ceremony kicked off at 9 a.m. at Fire Station 1 in downtown Bakersfield, near the alley where police say three spectators were hit by a pickup truck on Dec. 7.

"The resources from within Fire Station 1 were actually in the parade," Frando said.

Alan Lewis Booth, 72, allegedly crashed his pickup into the crowd.

Police say, Booth's blood-alcohol content was three times the legal limit. Witnesses say he never let off the gas.

"It took a minute to register what exactly had happened," Kern County Fire Department Capt. Ronald Montecino.

Montecino kept his wife close and checked on their son who was marching in the parade with the school band and he jumped into action when he heard screaming.

"I ran into some of the city guys that were on duty. They recognized me and I got some gloves and some equipment from them and I turned around," Montecino said. "The first patient I saw, some of our, a couple of our actually off-duty Kern County firefighters were already treating him and so they just started handing me equipment and said this is your patient."

One of the victims suffered leg fractures and a skull fracture. It could've been worse if Montecino was there. But, he says he's not a hero.

"Anybody else in my situation and off-duty would've done the same thing. It's just what we do," Montecino said.

Booth bailed out and pleaded not guilty.

Then, months later Booth was arrested again on April 17 on suspicion of DUI. He's being held without bail.

His next court date is in October.