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12 <br />jurisdiction, but also that each agency's resources will be available to augment and/or backup <br />the other's in the event of a major incident anywhere in the metro area. There is even an <br />"automatic move-up" feature supporting this latter type of scenario. <br />Overall, the 3-Battalion concept helps to maximize scarce fire suppression and emergency <br />medical resources, increases the depth of resources available to each community, helps meet <br />needs presented by larger incidents, promotes improved working relationships, and generally <br />provides better coverage of calls throughout Eugene and Springfield, helping both departments <br />meet their goals of preserving lives and property. <br />The Year in Review <br />een Fire <br />At 9:30 p.m. on Friday, April 20, the ftrst reports were received of a structure fire at 1248 Wil- <br />lagillespie Road, not far from Valley River Center. The incident turned out to be the biggest <br />fire in Eugene since the 1980s. <br />The huge blaze was not declared under control until two hours later, after 16 engines, two <br />trucks, and riumerous other personnel from several agencies (including Springfield, Goshen, <br />and Santa Clara) had responded. The battle involved not only a large industrial building, but <br />also live power lines, hazardous chemicals, and a threat to nearby homes. No one was in- <br />jured, but damage was estimated at $6 million, and 65 employees of the business were idled. <br />The cause of the fire was officially listed as undetermined.. <br />13 <br />