American Medical Response – River Rescue Program

American Medical Response operates a one of a kind service for the citizens of Clackamas and Multnomah
Counties.  AMR Oregon provides a free River Safety and Rescue Program on the Sandy River at Glenn Otto Park
and at High Rocks Park on the Clackamas River.  This nationally recognized and certified program is also
available to assist the Clackamas and Multnomah County Marine Patrols with rescue responses that require
highly trained personnel who can work alone or in pairs to resolve a difficult water rescue situation.

The Sandy River Experience
The first recorded drowning in the Sandy River occurred during the Lewis and Clark Expedition.  The last was in
August 1998; on a beautiful day at Glenn Otto Park on the Sandy River, a large crowd of people watched
helplessly as a young girl was caught in the strong current and swept toward rocks and repeatedly submerged.  
It appeared to the crowd that she might drown, a 38 year old man from Wood Village decided he could not allow
that to happen, he waded into the water and was just able to push the girl toward shore when he was caught
himself and swept under.  This tragic event was the last drowning in the Sandy River at Glenn Otto Park.  With the
help of the Troutdale Booster Club (Oregon River Safety Program) and the Mayor of Troutdale, American Medical
Response began providing a free community service to the citizens of Multnomah County, Oregon.  In August of
1999, AMR began the AMR River Rescue Program.  The program has operated from mid-May through to the
second Sunday in September since that time.  

Since the mid-1950’s, the drowning rate at Glenn Otto Park appears to be approximately two per summer
season in the lower Sandy River near Troutdale, this has been verified through city records.  Coupled with the
estimated beach attendance of 8000 visitors per summer season, by the Troutdale Police Department, the
Sandy River in Troutdale has had an approximate drowning rate of approximately 1 in 4000 (0.00025%).  This is
a higher rate of drowning than is expected at guarded beaches in the United States (United States Lifesaving
Association, 1999).  The United States Lifesaving Association has calculated the chance that a person will drown
while attending a beach protected by Lifeguards at 1 in 18 million or a 0.0000055% chance (USLA, 1999).
Following seven seasons of service on the Sandy by the AMR River Rescue Program, the rate of drowning at
Glenn Otto Park is zero!

The Clackamas River Experience
The Clackamas River in the vicinity of “High Rocks” had been a tragic area of loss for many years.  As each year
passes, more drowning incidents occur resulting in morbidity and mortality to visitors at this recreation area.  The
area is a complex coverage issue, with three jurisdictions and many interested parties that have involved
themselves in the problem and area over the years.  The rate of drowning deaths at High Rocks, during the
summer season appeared to vary from 2-4 per years.  By the end of June, 2002 there had been three tragic
drowning deaths at High Rocks Park in 26 days.  Members of the community, government, and media felt this
had to stop.  AMR as an organization felt it had an ethical and moral obligation to try and help resolve the
tragedies occurring at High Rocks.  Once again, AMR, with help from the Oregon River Safety Program Charity,
stepped in to assist.  After extensive discussions with the Cities of Gladstone and Oregon City, as well as the
leadership of Clackamas County, AMR began providing services in mid-July 2002 at High Rocks Park on the
Clackamas River.  

Since the implementation of the program at High Rocks Park on the Clackamas River, the rate of drowning has
been reduced to zero and the rate of police intervention required in the park has dropped from a reported 18
arrests per month to approximately 5-6.

AMR River Rescue Program Structure:
The River Safety Program is provided by AMR as a public service to the Cities of Troutdale, Gladstone and
Oregon City, and the Counties of Multnomah and Clackamas.  AMR assumes responsibility for the program; the
program is evaluated on a monthly basis by AMR, any granting sources, and the area government bodies as
needed to assess the viability for continuous operation.  AMR provides a portion of the program funding,
approximately 50%, and seeks grant funding to pay for the balance of the program.  

The River Safety Program is composed of daily coverage on the Clackamas River in the vicinity of High Rocks
and the Sandy River at Glenn Otto Park, by AMR open water lifeguard/swift water rescue personnel, equipped
with medical and rescue equipment for the task of water rescue.  Staffing of the parks occur from 10 am to 8 pm
daily.  The program works in close cooperation with the Troutdale Police Department, Clackamas County Sheriff’
s Office – Marine Division, Gladstone Police Department, and Oregon City Police Department to assure safety of
the public and personnel, as well as provide the most efficient response to rescue incidents
.
AMR trains, operates, and manages this USLA (United States Lifeguarding Association) Advanced Agency
Accredited program; the only nationally certified program in Oregon.  In September of 2000, the program was
awarded an Oregon State EMS Unit Citation for its work and success.

Conclusion:
In what has become a model for public, private, charitable partnership the AMR River Rescue program has been
able to dramatically impact drowning deaths in Multnomah and Clackamas Counties.  AMR hopes to continue its
service to both the areas being served by the AMR River Rescue Program, thereby continuing to reduce the tragic
loss of our future generations and increase those future generations awareness of water safety here in Oregon.