Longtime Happy Valley resident Mark Oelschlager was mowing his lawn in his t-shirt and flip flops when he spotted smoke and flames coming from the City’s Public Works facility across the street. A longtime firefighter with Lake Oswego Fire Department, Mark quickly traded lawn duty for fire duty.
He called 911, jumped the fence to get onto the property, opened the locked gate for responding crews, and helped Clackamas Fire District Engine 6 pull hose and take a hydrant. His quick thinking and willingness to jump in helped crews get to work quickly and helped keep the fire from spreading into the surrounding neighborhoods.
City Council recognized Mark at last night’s meeting for his actions and for simply stepping up when his community needed him.
We know Mark isn’t the only Happy Valley resident who would jump into action to help a neighbor and that’s one of the things that makes this community so special.
Thank you, Mark, for stepping up when it mattered most. Happy Valley is lucky to have neighbors like you!
