CAMAS, Wash. (KOIN) — It was a story of heroism. Back in February, two Camas-Washougal firefighters ran into a burning Washougal home and saved a man who was trapped inside and yelling for help. The two-man crew was praised for their decisive actions.

“We’re firefighters,” said Adam Brice, the president of the East Clark Professional Firefighters, on March 9. “You have someone who needs a rescue from a burning building, they’re going to make it happen. Unfortunately, they will put themselves in a position they shouldn’t have to.”

That position is one that will cost the city $4,800.

The Washington Department of Labor and Industries upheld a fine issued against the station for not following workplace safety laws. Though the two-man crew saved a life, a third person was supposed to be outside watching the building. The city appealed the fine, but it was denied.

Months later, the problem — which firefighters told KOIN 6 News back in March was nothing new — still persists. Stations, like on the one in Camas, are limited to two-person crews, leaving them vulnerable to a situation like this.

The East Clark Professional Firefighters Union said, ideally, there should be three-people to an engine at all times. To do that, the city would have to add at least 15 crew members for engines alone.

Camas City Administrator Peter Capell said the city council met Monday and proposed adding one new fire marshal and four new firefighter-paramedics for the 2019 budget year. They also said there would be potential for another four every two years.

The firefighters union, however thinks that’s not enough to prevent more violations or fines in the future. Brice thinks they need three people on an engine permanently.

“We don’t feel with the number of firefighters we have on our fire engines (that) we are capable of doing that while maintaining a safe-work environment while we are performing our job.”

Meanwhile, around the city, yellow yard signs have gone up supporting the firefighters.

“I think that we’re all in a little fear at any given moment,” Melissa Peake said about the staffing issues. “If there are two incidents at the same time, then we are all a little worried about what will happen and the situation.

Sings are in front of yards in the Camas-Washougal area supporting the increased staffing of local firefighters. (KOIN)

“We are all in support of more firefighters because of what happened.”