Off-duty Firefighters ‘Fill The Boot’ For Muscular Dystrophy Association (Photo) -05/29/25

Off-duty Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue firefighters will take to the streets next week to once again Fill the Boot for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

 

Tualatin Valley Firefighters Union Local 1660 members will ask passing motorists to drop a donation into their fire boots Friday, June 6, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway and Canyon Road on-ramps and off-ramps to Highway 217 in Beaverton.

 

All funds collected through Tualatin Valley Firefighters Union Local 1660’s 2025 Fill the Boot event support MDA’s life-enhancing programs, including support groups and clinics, and assist families with medical equipment and costs. They also make MDA summer camp possible so kids with muscle diseases can enjoy a week of fun activities while gaining confidence and independence. MDA serves 3,818 individuals across Oregon and 6,893 individuals in Washington who are affected by neuromuscular disease.

 

Since 1954, firefighters have fueled MDA’s mission to find treatments and cures for life-threatening muscle diseases. Muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and other related diseases take away people’s ability to walk, move, smile, talk, and even breathe.

 

To date, the International Association of Fire Fighters has raised more than $710 million for MDA, helping to fund over $1 billion in research.

 

“For 71 years, firefighters have proudly supported the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s mission to help families live longer, stronger lives, and I am honored to continue this partnership with Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue during MDA’s 75th anniversary,” said Amanda Borror, MDA’s director of firefighter partnerships. “Every dollar raised in our community helps fund life-changing research and care that makes a difference for families nationwide.”

 

Since 2015, TVF&R firefighters have raised $517,105 for MDA. This year, TVF&R firefighters hope to raise $30,000 with the generous support of the community.

 

Local firefighters invite the community to join them in filling the boot for the MDA. Cash and checks made payable to MDA will be accepted at the Beaverton collection event. Secure online donations can also be made by clicking on the following link: Donate Here.

UPDATED LOCATION: TVF&R Invites Media To Water Rescue Demonstration (Photo) -05/21/25

UPDATE 5/21: Please join us for this event at the Cedaroak Boat Ramp 4600 Elmran Dr, West Linn, OR 97068

As the region gears up for another busy summer on local rivers and waterways, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVF&R) is inviting media representatives to a water rescue demonstration on Thursday, May 22, 2025. The event will spotlight TVF&R’s Water Rescue Team, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the life-saving operations that keep our waterways safe.

 

With warmer weather driving more people to swim, paddle, and float, water safety becomes a top concern. TVF&R’s demonstration will feature real-time watercraft deployment, rescue simulations, and interviews with rescue technicians, giving media a firsthand view of the challenges rescue teams face.

 

TVF&R’s Water Rescue Team is made up of two highly trained, 4-person firefighter crews. Each team member is cross-trained in advanced rescue techniques and water-specific hazards such as swift currents, shifting depths, and underwater obstacles. The teams are based at Station 59 (West Linn) and Station 20 (Newberg)—both positioned for rapid response on the Willamette River.

 

As part of the Clackamas County Water Rescue Consortium, TVF&R works collaboratively to respond to water-related emergencies across the region. The multi-agency team covers about 50 miles along the Willamette River from Salem to the lower Willamette toward Portland, including all of Clackamas County and roughly 50 miles of the Clackamas River. Additional waterways include large areas of Washington County, including 38 miles of the Tualatin River, a portion of Yamhill County, Molalla River, and the Pudding River.

 

According to data from Oregon Bureau of Vital Statistics and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, drowning is the second leading cause of death for Oregon children aged 0 to 4 and the fourth for those aged 5 to 18. With summer fast approaching, TVF&R is using this event to emphasize the importance of water safety, life jacket use, and safe recreation practices around rivers, lakes, and pools.

 

Date: Thursday, May 22, 2025
Time: 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Location: Cedaroak Boat Ramp - 4600 Elmran Dr, West Linn, OR 97068
Media Check-in: Begins at 9:30 AM (Life jackets provided)

 

Please RSVP to pio@tvfr.com.