Engine 3 VES Rescue | First Due to Heavy Fire & Entrapment | Officer & Driver POV | 03/29/26
This video highlights the coordinated efforts, aggressive tactics, and teamwork displayed by first-arriving companies during a high-risk fireground rescue operation.
In the early morning hours of Sunday, March 29, 2026, Paulding County Fire Rescue units Engine 3, Engine 13, Engine 22 (Truck 2 was out of service), Squad 1 (Heavy Rescue), Rescue 11, Battalion 3, Battalion 1, and 3410 (Shift Commander) were dispatched to a reported residential structure fire with possible entrapment.
Engine 3 arrived on scene within six minutes to find the residence heavily involved with fire. After confirming with an occupant outside the home that a victim was still trapped inside, the Engine’s lieutenant and firefighter immediately initiated a VES (Vent, Enter, Search). During the search, crews quickly located the victim while the Engine’s driver simultaneously stretched a 2.5-inch handline and began an aggressive exterior fire attack to protect the search team and slow fire progression.
Additional Paulding County Fire Rescue personnel and Metro EMS units arrived shortly after and assisted with fire suppression, rescue operations, and patient care. The victim was removed from the structure and transported to a local hospital. Despite the aggressive actions taken by all responding crews, the victim was later pronounced deceased at a local hospital.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family, loved ones, and everyone affected by this incident.
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The views, actions, and opinions expressed in this video are solely my own and do not reflect or represent any fire department, agency, or employer.
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