Because of a dryer fire in the laundry room, 22 residents at BridgeCreek Alzheimer's Care Community were evacuated and transported to the Lebanon Fire Department early on March 17. The Lebanon Fire District responded to the call at 5 a.m. with four engines and two medic units.

Chief Perry Palmer said that the fire sprinklers activated quickly and controlled the fire.

With help from Lebanon police and Linn County deputies, firemen evacuated the residents and used medic units and staff vehicles to transfer them to the station, a process that took less than 30 minutes.

"The proximity to the department made it easy to transfer patients," said Palmer. "For not having a specific plan, it worked really well. Everyone pulled together and made it happen."

BridgeCreek is located on 12th Street, just a few blocks from the fire station on Oak Street.

Two firefighters were injured at the care center - one who needed stitches in the chin and another who sustained a back injury while evacuating a patient. However, according to Palmer, no residents or BridgeCreek staff were injured during evacuation.

At the station, members of the LFD Auxiliary made breakfast as the residents relaxed in the lounge and watched television. Seven BridgeCreek staff members, two TIP volunteers, and a few family members helped monitor the residents during the day.

The department staff made lunch for the residents and by 4 p.m. the residents had been transported back to BridgeCreek in a van loaned by The Oaks Assisted Living.

Palmer considered the transport of the patients a

success, noting, "We had great cooperation between BridgeCreek and everyone else."

Palmer said he can't remember ever having a situation where residents were brought to the station.

Most of the damage to BridgeCreek, estimated at $7,500, was caused by smoke.

The blaze was caused by the dryer. A similar fire occurred at BridgeCreek a month ago.

The State Fire Marshal's office is working with BridgeCreek on preventing future dryer fires. The state oversees fire safety issues for health care and assisted living facilities because they are licensed by the state.