PRAC ~ Park Rangers Association of California
Mt. Tamalpais vehicle patrol, Matt Cerkel
Nominations shall be submitted to the Award Review Committee* no later than January 1 of each year. The nominee must be a park professional, employed by any California or Nevada municipal, county, state, regional or federal park agency, open space district or special park district. The nominee is not required to be a member of PRAC or CSPRA.
PRAC/CSPRA Awards
Medal of Valor
To be awarded to any uniformed park professional in California or Nevada who has been killed in the line of duty, or at the risk of such nominee’s own life, displays extreme courage, bravery, and devotion to duty in exposing oneself to grave danger in the face of a seemingly hopeless situation notwithstanding the officer's own imminent peril. The Medal of Valor nominee must have demonstrated that there was a conscious awareness of the imminent threat to physical safety at the time the action was performed.
Medal of Honor
To be awarded to any uniformed park professional in California or Nevada who distinguishes oneself by conspicuous bravery in the performance of such nominees sworn duties under unusual, complicated, or hazardous conditions where the nominee used excellent judgment in accomplishing an assigned mission, including sustaining human life.
Lifesaving Award
To be awarded to any uniformed park professional in California or Nevada who performs an exceptional act under emergency conditions, not involving bravery, wherein a service is rendered that results directly in sustaining a human life.
Award Nomination Form
Award Selection
After review of all nominations received, the Award Review Committee shall select candidates that meet established criteria. A unanimous vote of the Committee is required for the Awards. The presentation shall be made at the annual California Parks Conference Valor and Honor Awards Ceremony or other mutually agreed time and location.
*Award Review Committee Composition
The Award Review Committee shall be composed of 3 members: One member of the Park Rangers Association of California Board of Directors as selected by the President of the Park Rangers Association of California; One member of the California State Park Rangers Association Board of Directors as appointed by the CSPRA President; One active, regular member of the Park Rangers Association of California at large. Each Committee member shall serve a three year term. Committee members shall elect one of their own to serve as Chairperson of the Committee. No person shall serve as Chairperson of the Committee for more than 1 year. No member of the Committee shall serve for more than 2 terms. Persons wishing to serve on the Committee shall submit a letter of interest to the Park Rangers Association of California. The Board of Directors shall select the Committee members from the letters of interest. The decisions of the Committee shall be presented to the President by February 15th of each year. The decisions of the Committee are final.
Most Recent Valor Award
Presented by Jeff Price representing PRAC and CSPRA Director Sal Goshorn to Lifeguard II (Seasonal) Ben Sweet for his courageous lifesaving rescue in December 2023 at the Ventura Pier.
