On the evening of Tuesday, January 7, 2025, as the Palisades Fire burned through the Big Rock community in Malibu, Patty Phillips attempted to evacuate the area with her dog, Koda. As Patty drove down a dirt path off Big Rock Road, her vehicle got stuck on a large rock. She was unable to move her car and feared that leaving the vehicle would risk her going off an embankment. Patty called 9-1-1 for help while her husband, James, who made it to Pacific Coast Highway, frantically asked first responders for help. Without hesitation, and putting his own life at risk, County of Los Angeles Fire Department Fire Captain Malcolm Dicks offered to assist and was able to locate and successfully rescue Patty and Koda, bringing them both to safety.