Following national and international trends, Clark County Fire District 6 personnel saluted medical professionals Wednesday night with lights and sirens outside Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center.
The parade of fire apparatus was a thank you to nurses, doctors and supporting staff for their tireless work during the COVID-19 outbreak.
“We applauded them, they applauded us. It was very nice,” Fire District 6 spokesman Dave Schmitke said.
About 75 to 100 medical professionals stood out in front of the hospital at 2211 N.E. 139th St. to watch the display of thanks.
Fire District 6 sent an engine, a battalion chief rig and four administrative rigs. Clark County Fire & Rescue also joined with additional apparatus, Schmitke said.
“Looking at Italy and understanding the people who bear the brunt of this thing are usually the folks in the hospitals. We just know that by the time this is over, they’re going to have the bulk of this. We just want them to know we’re thinking of them,” he said.
The agency plans to do this every week until the pandemic is over.
“I think it’s empowering for our people, too, because you feel so helpless from this virus,” Schmitke said, adding that the display “represents positivity” and is “cathartic for our folks, too.”
