VANCOUVER, Wash. — A coordinated rescue involving citizen fishermen and multiple emergency response agencies saved a person from the Columbia River late Saturday morning, marking an especially meaningful final call for one of the Vancouver Fire Department’s longest-serving firefighters.
At approximately 10:30 a.m., the Vancouver Fire Department responded to reports of a person in the Columbia River after a witness called 911. Fire crews from Vancouver were joined by the Portland Fire Bureau, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit, and AMR in the emergency response.
In a remarkable coincidence, Vancouver Fire Boat 1 was already on patrol as Engineer Paramedic Casey Holmes took one final ride aboard the vessel during his last shift before retiring after nearly 26 years with the department.
After receiving the dispatch, Fire Boat 1 immediately headed toward the reported location. Also aboard were several firefighters from Engine 6 who had joined Holmes for a farewell patrol, including rescue swimmer Engineer Bryan Kenney, who was prepared to enter the water if necessary.
Before firefighters reached the victim, several citizens aboard a nearby fishing boat spotted the person struggling in the river. Without hesitation, the fishermen maneuvered their vessel alongside the victim and safely pulled the individual from the cold water, placing themselves at considerable personal risk during the rescue.
The Vancouver Fire Department credited the fishermen’s quick thinking and selfless actions as critical to the successful outcome.
Fire Boat 1 then pulled alongside the fishing vessel, where firefighters used the boat’s specialized bow-loading rescue ramp to safely transfer the patient onto the fire boat. Holmes piloted the vessel back to shore, where the patient was transferred to Vancouver Fire Department personnel and AMR crews before being transported to a local hospital in satisfactory condition.
The rescue comes during a busy week for water emergencies along the Columbia River. Vancouver Fire officials noted the department has responded to multiple water rescues in recent days and reminded the public that despite warm summer temperatures, the Columbia River remains dangerously cold. Officials urge anyone recreating on local waterways to wear a properly fitted life jacket, remain aware of cold-water hazards, and be prepared before entering the water.
Saturday’s rescue also marked a fitting conclusion to the distinguished career of Holmes, who has spent more than two decades helping build and lead the department’s marine rescue program.
Following service in the U.S. Navy, Holmes joined the Vancouver Fire Department, where he became a driving force behind its fire boat operations. As Fire Boat Lead Pilot and the longest-tenured member of the marine rescue team, he helped research, design, procure, and commission Fire Boat 1 while training generations of pilots and deckhands. Holmes also oversaw maintenance of the department’s fire boat and boathouse and served as both a regional boat pilot evaluator and shipboard firefighting instructor.
Earlier this year, Holmes received the Vancouver Fire Department’s Meritorious Service Award in recognition of his leadership and lasting contributions to the department’s marine rescue program.
Colleagues describe Holmes as a compassionate paramedic, skilled engineer, accomplished apparatus operator, and master boat pilot whose influence has extended throughout the region.
“It is perhaps fitting that on his final day with the Vancouver Fire Department, Holmes responded to one last emergency aboard the very vessel he helped design and bring into service,” the department said. “His final response aboard Fire Boat 1 concluded with a successful rescue, safely bringing one more person home.”
The Vancouver Fire Department thanked the citizen fishermen for their courageous actions and expressed appreciation to the Portland Fire Bureau, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit, and AMR for their assistance during the rescue. The department also congratulated Holmes on his retirement and wished him a long, healthy, and well-earned next chapter after nearly 26 years of public service.
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