WCSO 2021 Annual Report - Flipbook - Page 17
ALOHA WOMAN RESCUED
FROM BURNING HOME
On August 11, 2021, WCSO responded to a house fire in the
community of Aloha, where an 88-year-old woman was unable to
escape her burning home. She called 9-1-1, and Dispatcher Tiffany
Myers gathered pertinent information while keeping her on the line
and simultaneously signaling for help on the radio.
Deputy Joshua Friant was first to arrive at the scene. As a former
Marine and volunteer firefighter, he did not hesitate to enter the
house knowing someone was trapped inside. Dispatcher Myers
had provided descriptions of the house’s general layout and kept
instructing the woman to call out for the Deputy to follow her voice.
“I opened the door and called to her immediately,” Deputy Friant
recounts. “There was so much smoke I couldn’t see anything, so I
got down on my knees and crawled and kept trying to talk to her. As I
approached her, I found her feet.”
Acting in fear, the woman initially did not want to go with Deputy
Friant but instead wanted him to find her walker. Deputy Friant was
patient but persistent, fully aware of the severity of the situation. “I
grabbed her wrist, and I told her, ‘Ma’am, I’m going to pull you out of
here, and you’re probably not going to like it, but we need to go right
now.’” They both made it safely out the front door, where medical
staff and other first responders attended to them immediately.
Alongside Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue and Metro West Ambulance,
WCSO acted quickly to fight the fire and render medical aid to the
rescued woman. Responders transported her to a local hospital for
treatment, where she was later released in good condition. According
to the Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue investigator, the fire appeared accidental and originated in the kitchen. “Even though this is a notable
event, it’s not an uncommon one,” said Deputy Friant. “This is what
we’re here for; we’re here to help. That’s our goal.”
Deputy Friant and Dispatcher Myers expertly executed their job
duties and bravely saved a life while working together without hesitation. “A call like this is really what helps get me through the calls that
don’t have such amazing endings,” expressed Myers. “This is the call
that keeps me coming to work every day and gives me the strength
and ability to move on to the next one.”
In recognition of his life-saving efforts and
bravery, Deputy Joshua Friant received
an Award of Valor presented by the
Oregon State Sheriff’s Association.
WCSO 2021 Annual Report | 15
