The Valley Regional Fire Service responded to 153 calls for service between March 23 and March 29, among them the following:
March 23
Aircraft fire: 3:09 p.m., (Auburn). Firefighters responding to a report of a twin-engine plane on fire at the Auburn Airport found a plane with smoke pouring out of its left engine area. The plane’s owner and airport maintenance staff had already extinguished the fire with dry chemical fire extinguishers before firefighters got there. Investigators determined that fuel had ignited in the engine compartment as the pilot tried to start the plane. Quick thinking and fast work then contained the fire to the left engine compartment. Ultimately, the owner got his plane back.
March 24
Car crash: 11:17 a.m., (Auburn). Valley Com dispatched firefighters to a three-car injury accident at 29th and “A” Street Southeast. Firefighters treated two people for minor injuries, with one meriting an ambulance trip to Auburn Regional Medical Center. Fire officials said the airbags helped to limit the severity of the injuries.
March 25
Aid call: 6:55 p.m., (Pacific). Firefighters responding to a report of an injured child found a little girl who had fallen off a bunk bed while playing with her sister. Engine 32 treated the girl for a broken arm. After firefighters used a vacuum splint to stabilize the arm, they packed the girl into an ambulance for a ride to Auburn Regional Medical Center.
March 26
Respiratory distress: 2:12 p.m., (Algona). While firefighters were treating a man struggling to breathe, his blood pressure dropped so low that they started CPR. The patient regained his blood pressure, and Medic 6 transported him to Auburn Regional Medical Center. While en route to the hospital, personnel administered CPR off and on and transferred the man to the care of ARMC emergency room personnel.
March 28
CPR: 2:12 p.m., (Auburn). Aid 31 and Medic 6 responded to a report of an unconscious patient. Aid 31 and Medic 6 arrived and initiated CPR along with additional treatment that included defibrillation and advanced life support procedures. The patient’s heart began to beat spontaneously and Medic 6 transported him or her to ARMC.
March 29
Aid call: 12:14 p.m., (Auburn). Firefighters responded to a report of a senior who had a sudden onset of nausea and vomiting. The woman did not show any signs of illness immediately prior to this episode. The woman complained of being weak and dizzy while standing. Aid 31 transported the patient to ARMC for further evaluation and treatment.
