The nursing home fire on February 2, 2003 that killed 10 people at the Greenwood Health Center in Hartford, CT may raise concerns about the safety of local nursing homes. Vancouver Fire Department (VFD) officials and firefighters union leaders note that the east coast facility did not have a fire sprinkler system and was not required to have one. Sprinkler systems are required in Vancouver nursing homes.

"When something like this happens, we tend to ask ourselves, 'what are the chances that this could happen here?" says Fire Chief Don Bivins.

"All of our nursing home facilities are protected by automatic fire sprinkler and alarm systems, and we inspect annually," he says. "While sprinkler systems aren't a life safety guarantee, they do make a very positive and substantial difference."

The Fire Code adopted and enforced by the City of Vancouver Fire Department also requires the facilities to have an emergency plan which includes teaching staff how to use the fire alarms, isolating a fire, and evacuating or relocating patients. The Fire Code requires every shift to have quarterly fire drills and training to recognize and respond to fire alarm signals.

Not all the regulations for nursing homes extend to assisted living and other care facilities, which may include people receiving various levels of care and with diverse ambulatory capabilities.

The Vancouver nursing homes listed below are inspected annually by the VFD. They care for patients who would be unable to assist themselves in evacuating during an emergency due to physical or mental deficiencies.

Cascade Park Care Center	801 SE Parkcrest Ave
Fort Vancouver Alzheimer's Care	8401 NE 8 Way
Fort Vancouver Convalescent Center	8507 NE 8 Way
Hampton Alzheimer's	1617 SE Talton Way
Heritage Health & Rehab	3605 Y St
Pacific Specialty Rehab	1015 N Garrison RD
Rose Vista Nursing Home	5001 Columbia View
Stonebridge Memory Care	7900 NE Vancouver Mall Dr.
Vancouver Health & Rehab.	400 E 33 Street

The VFD provides fire protection, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), rescue and public safety and education to over 210,000 people across a consolidated 92-square-mile service area, which includes the City of Vancouver and Clark County Fire District 5.