City of East Point (GA) firefighters rescued a resident and the person’s service dog during a structure fire late last week.
According to a release from the department, C-Shift crews responded to a structure fire at 3116 Candlewood Drive on September 15, 2023. Engine Company 3 (E3), the first-arriving apparatus, reported heavy smoke emanating from the unit. Upon receiving communications that an individual was still inside the building, E3 assumed initial command and executed a rapid entry, discovering an unresponsive victim in the dining area near the fire.
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Lieutenant Robert Paulus and Firefighter Reginald Etheridge rescued the victim, swiftly moving the resident to safety. Simultaneously, Engine Company 4 (E4) arrived on scene and was tasked with rescuing the owner’s large service dog from the living room area. Lieutenant Kyle Cooper and Firefighter Terrance Campbell promptly removed the dog, which was also unresponsive.
Led by Battalion Chief George Toney, members from each crew immediately initiated emergency medical care for the unconscious victim and the dog. E3 continued successfully extinguished the fire while E4 and Ladder Company 1 searched the premises before assisting with overhaul. Although the kitchen and dining area sustained substantial damage, the crews effectively contained the fire within the unit of origin.
The victim and dog both regained consciousness and were subsequently transported to appropriate medical facilities for further treatment.
