Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue honored six members of its team Tuesday during a promotion ceremony at the Command and Business Operations Center in Tigard.
“Today is a great day for TVF&R,” said Fire Chief Mike Duyck. “We are gathered here to celebrate the next generation of leaders who are stepping up in their service to the community. It’s a great day to honor them and what they have achieved in their career.”
Members of the Fire District’s new Recruit Academy 1501 looked on as their lead academy instructor, Patrick Fale, was sworn in as captain.
Fale was hired by TVF&R in January 2001. He served with the Hazardous Materials Team before being promoted to apparatus operator in 2005 and lieutenant in 2012. He was a recipient of a Meritorious Service Award in 2012 for his work managing two recruit academies and leading a team of five academy instructors. He also assisted the division chief of training in spearheading multiple changes in the academies to improve training practices and boost recruits’ future success.
In his new role, Fale is responsible for the oversight of station operations; the training, safety, and performance of his crew; and providing excellent service to the community.
Doug Nolan, who served with the Hillsboro Fire Department for more than a decade prior to joining TVF&R’s team in October 2012, was promoted to deputy fire marshal II.
In this role, he is tasked with carrying out the mission of the Fire Prevention Program by performing inspections, leading educational activities, and working in code enforcement. In addition, he is responsible for inspecting plans for new construction, remodeling, and installations as well as enforcing provisions of the District Fire Prevention Ordinance in a safe and professional manner.
The Fire District welcomed four new apparatus operators during the ceremony. In their new role, they will be responsible for the safe delivery of their crew and apparatus to emergency scenes.
Those sworn in as apparatus operators included:
• Ron Morgan, who volunteered with the Fire District before joining the ranks in March 2005. He has served as a member of the Tech Rescue Team and on several recruit academy cadres. He was also honored as the Union Member of the Year for 2013. • Scott Riffle, who worked for Intel Corp. before being hired by TVF&R in September 2007. He served on the Hazardous Materials Team and assisted with the Cardiac Registry.
• John Sconce, who served as a combat medic in the U.S. Army and as a TVF&R volunteer before being hired by the District in March 2005. He has served as a field training officer, Muscular Dystrophy Association coordinator leading the “Fill the Boot” campaign for seven years, and a longtime member of TVF&R’s Safety Committee. He was twice named Volunteer Firefighter of the Year, a recipient of a Special Unit Citation in 2010, and the American Legion’s Firefighter of the Year for 2011 in Tigard, Oregon and the Western United States.• Jeff Stewart, a former Journeyman mechanic for GMC and property ranger for a 200-acre Boy Scout camp who volunteered with the Boring Fire District before being hired by TVF&R in September 2009. He has served as a member of the Peer Support Team and Hazardous Materials Team.
Family members, friends and Fire District staff looked on as each honoree was recognized by a company officer and took an oath of office. Following the swearing-in ceremony, spouses, children, and parents were invited to pin a new badge on their loved one’s uniform.
Each of the honorees was selected by the Fire District for their promotions based on his background, training, and leadership skills following a competitive process.
