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The Chehalis Fire Department chief on Monday recognized two firefighters for their role in saving the life of someone trapped in a burning building as well as two others who have completed five years of local service.
Chehalis Fire Chief Adam Fulbright was the opening act at the Chehalis City Council meeting, where he awarded firefighters Jacob Ross and Jackson Sayler with the Chehalis Fire Department Life Saving Medal.
The recognition honors their actions in rescuing the occupant of a residential building during a structure fire on March 21 of this year.
“The actions of firefighter Sayler and firefighter Ross exemplify the courage, preparedness, teamwork and commitment to the preservation of human life expected of members of Chehalis Fire Department,” Fulbright said. “Faced with immediate threat to life, both firefighters acted decisively and without hesitation.”
According to his recounting of the event, the two firefighters were part of a crew that responded to a fire on the second floor of a multi-story residential building in the early morning hours. After entering the building and fulfilling his initial responsibilities, Sayler was notified of a victim trapped within the building.
At the same time, Ross, who works as an apparatus engineer preparing vehicles and water flows, had worn his fire protection gear and was directed to aid Sayler in the rescue.
The victim was successfully extracted from the building and transferred into emergency medical care. After an extensive hospital stay, they survived their injuries.
Fulbright recognized significant accomplishments on the part of both firefighters. Sayler completed the rescue and responded to the building fire while on just his third day of employment with the Chehalis Fire Department.
Ross was recognized specifically for having the “foresight” of wearing and keeping on his fire protection gear despite that being unusual for his position on the crew.
“Not a common practice for an engineer, so it is very impactful that he did that,” Fulbright said.
Ross was not present for the recognition; however, Fulbright awarded the medal to Sayler, who was in attendance Tuesday.
Attendees of the meeting stood in recognition of Sayler’s service.
Ahead of awarding the medals, Fulbright also recognized firefighter Daniel Ford and Captain Shane Schow for five years of service with the local department. In doing so, he also recognized the individual achievements of the two men and their impact on the department.
Ford has earned certification as a fire investigator and serves on teams for technical and swift water rescues. He has become the lead instructor for boat operations for those wishing to join a swift water rescue team and has served as an acting captain over the last six months, among other achievements.
Schow came to the department roughly five years ago from east Olympia and also serves as a fire investigator and on the department’s technical rescue and swift water rescue teams. He was promoted to the rank captain in 2023 and serves as the department's safety officer.
“It is this dedication and commitment from staff like this and many others that take on and wear so many hats to make us very successful at the mission of serving the public,” Fulbright said.
