Clark County Fire District 3 Recognizes AMR Crews For Actions During June 10 Fire Incident -06/12/25

Clark County Fire District 3 is proud to recognize the outstanding actions of American Medical Response (AMR) personnel during the June 10 residential fire in a manufactured home community in southwest Battle Ground. While this incident demanded a coordinated effort between fire and EMS personnel, the actions of AMR crews stood out and merit special acknowledgment.

 

“Our teams operated in sync across two evolving emergencies,” said Fire Chief Chris Drone. “The window rescue carried out by AMR occurred simultaneously as our crews initiated interior rescue operations. That kind of coordination is what saves lives.”

 

Key Roles During the Incident:

• While providing care on an unrelated medical call, AMR’s M1620 crew observed a nearby structure fire, contacted dispatch, and rescued a trapped occupant through a window before fire units had transitioned fully to the fire response.
• At the same time, FD3 personnel were coordinating a rapid entry and interior search, ultimately rescuing a second occupant from deeper within the home.
• Additional AMR crews took over care of the original medical patient, allowing FD3 firefighters to focus on fire suppression and search.
• Together, AMR and FD3 team members revived two unresponsive dogs, later coordinating with Northwest Vet ER for continued care.

This was a dynamic and rapidly evolving scene, and all personnel involved performed with skill, speed, and shared purpose. The successful outcome was a direct result of this coordinated response.

 

Recognized AMR Personnel:

 

Camille Burgess, Adam Lengvenis, Ruben Kovalenko
Kelly O’Loughlin, Taylor Baines
Spencer Brown, Adrian Nelson
Damin Martin, Ashlynn Staley

 

We thank our AMR partners for their decisive action and continued commitment to the health and safety of the communities we serve.

Fire District 3 Firefighters Rescue Elderly Couple And Pets From Burning Home While Responding To Separate Medical Call (Photo) -06/11/25

Battle Ground, WA — On the evening of June 10, Clark County Fire District 3 firefighters executed a remarkable rescue during a residential fire in a manufactured home community in southwest Battle Ground—while simultaneously responding to a separate medical emergency just across the street.

Crews were inside a nearby home providing care to a patient when they heard frantic cries for help. Looking outside, they saw smoke and flames coming from a neighboring residence, with an elderly man leaning from a bedroom window calling for assistance.

Without hesitation, the team divided their resources. Some remained with the medical patient, while others transitioned immediately into rescue operations.

Following the nationally recognized “two-in, one-out” safety protocol, firefighters entered the smoke-filled structure and quickly discovered a second occupant—an elderly woman—still trapped inside. Despite intense fire conditions and limited visibility, crews successfully removed both residents and transferred them to AMR teams for emergency medical care. AMR personnel were instrumental in assisting with both the rescue and immediate treatment of the victims.

In total, three individuals were transported to local hospitals:

- Patient 1 (from the original medical call): injuries unrelated to the fire
- Patient 2: treated for smoke inhalation
- Patient 3: treated for smoke inhalation and second- to third-degree burns

Firefighters also rescued two dogs from the structure and successfully revived both once brought outside.

Thanks to the rapid and coordinated response, the fire was knocked down quickly and contained primarily to a single room. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, and Fire District 3 continues to monitor the conditions of all patients.

“The outcome last night could have been very different,” said Fire Chief Chris Drone. “Because of the resources made possible by our community’s support, lives—and pets—were saved.”

This life-saving operation underscores the critical importance of our three-person engine staffing—a standard we will soon be able to maintain consistently thanks to the voter-approved levy lid lift passed last year. Under Washington State law, interior rescue operations are prohibited unless at least three firefighters are on scene—two to enter and one to remain outside. Without that staffing level, this rescue would not have been officially allowed.

Clark County Fire District 3 extends its deep appreciation to:

- AMR for their vital assistance in patient care, rescue support, and hospital transport
- Battle Ground Police Department for securing the scene, managing traffic and bystanders, and assisting with evacuations to protect both civilians and firefighters

We are profoundly grateful to the residents of our community. Your investment in public safety continues to make a real and measurable difference.