On Monday, July 31, 2017, at approximately 7:45 p.m., the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Aviation Division was requested by the San Bernardino County Fire Department for a hoist rescue. They reported an injured inmate firefighter assigned to a hand crew fighting a fire off Highway 18 in an area known as Waterman Canyon. The inmate firefighter injured his leg and suffered from dehydration while fighting the fire. The fire crews were on the side of a mountain at the 2500' foot level, far from medical personnel. San Bernardino County Sheriff's patrol helicopter 40King2 arrived on scene to conduct the hoist rescue. The crew of 40King2 consisted of Deputy Pilot Doug Brimmer and Flight Officer Brad Heard. The crew of 40King2 combined with San Bernardino County Sheriff's patrol helicopter 40King4 to assist with the hoist. The crew of 40King4 consisted of Deputy Pilot Ryan Peppler and Flight Officer Corporal Ed Leon.
The crews teamed up in 40King2 to conduct the hoist. The crew of 40King 2 now consisted of Deputy Pilot Doug Brimmer, Deputy Heard acting crew chief, and Corporal Leon acting Emergency Medical Technician. Deputy Heard lowered Corporal Leon to the injured inmate firefighter approximately 105' to the ground. Corporal Leon then placed a rescue harness on the injured inmate firefighter. Deputy Heard hoisted the injured firefighter up to the helicopter and the inmate firefighter was flown to an awaiting ambulance at the Arrowhead Springs Resort. The crew of 40King2 then returned to the fire and hoisted Corporal Leon back up to the helicopter.