Fire District 3 Chief Chris Drone explains what’s behind the slogan
Chris Drone, chief
Clark County Fire District 3
As Fire Chief of Clark County Fire District 3, I’m often asked what our slogan, “More than fire,” means. It is a simple phrase, but it reflects how our firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics serve this community every day.
For many people, “the fire department” still brings to mind hoses, sirens, and burning buildings. The reality is that modern fire service is much broader. About 72% of our roughly 5,000 annual calls are medical. We are medics and EMTs as much as we are firefighters, and we respond to all hazards, from medical emergencies and car crashes to technical rescues and fires. Residents are sometimes surprised to see us arrive on a medical call, but being there in someone’s worst moment is central to who we are.
“More than fire” also describes how our personnel approach every call. We train our crews to treat every patient like family, to listen, to show compassion, and to go above and beyond whenever they see an opportunity to help. That commitment to professionalism, teamwork, and integrity is what sets our district apart and has earned the trust of our community.
Beyond emergency response, “More than fire” means being deeply engaged in our community. Our firefighters teach fire prevention in schools, provide life-safety education for seniors, offer free wildland fire risk assessments for homeowners, and staff more than 20 community events each year, from school sports to Harvest Days and Hockinson Fun Days, along with a holiday toy and food drive for neighbors in need. Our cadet program engages local youth each year, helping them build leadership, discipline, and teamwork, whether or not they pursue a career in the fire service.
For us, “More than fire” is a reminder that our responsibility goes beyond emergency response. It includes the everyday connections we make in classrooms, at community events, and throughout east Clark County.
If you see our crews out in the community, whether at a school, a local event, or a neighborhood gathering, please feel free to stop by and say hello. We value those connections just as much as the work we do when the sirens are on.
- Opinion: Why lawmakers are going after your pension
Ryan Frost argues lawmakers included public pensions in the income tax law in preparation for lowering the $1 million deduction. - Opinion: Washington has an income tax – why won’t the media call it one?
Cargill argues the media is using supporters’ preferred label “millionaires tax” instead of the legally accurate term “income tax.” - POLL: How do you think higher impact fees for school districts affect housing affordability in Clark County?
Clark County Council raised impact fees for La Center, Hockinson, and Woodland school districts, drawing pushback from the Building Industry Association. - Opinion: Impaired walking vs. impaired driving; pick neither
Doug Dahl argues impaired driving remains deadlier than walking impaired when measured by exposure time, not miles traveled. - Opinion: When the same money helps fund the program and the story
Peter Bracchi examines how the Ed and Dollie Lynch Fund supports Vancouver’s HART program, the Bridge Shelter, and Community Funded Journalism covering the same policy arena.