Residents in Tualatin and North Wilsonville will see a column of smoke rising from the 23000 block of SW Boones Ferry, as firefighters conduct live fire training in a real home. This rare training opportunity allows new firefighters from Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue to gain valuable experience practicing fire engine operations, building entry and search techniques, and fire behavior training.

During the day-long series of exercises, training officers will set a fire in a room, firefighters will enter the home and extinguish it, and then training officers will set another fire. At the end of the day, firefighters will set a final “terminal burn” and the home will be allowed to burn to the ground.

MEDIA INVITED Members of the media are invited to visit the training burn on April 17 and videotape or photograph the training. Due to limited accessibility, please contact the Public Information Officer to coordinate attendance and access.

Where: 23620 SW Boones Ferry Road Tualatin, OR

Timeline: 08:00 to 10:00 a.m. - Training burns commence and flames will be confined to the inside of the home. Media will see firefighters entering and leaving the home in air packs with hoses. 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. – Firefighters will begin their final burn. During this burn, firefighters will practice exposure protection techniques as the home is allowed to burn to the ground. “This is a great opportunity for some of our newest firefighters to exercise critical skills that help us better protect our communities,” says TVF&R Training Officer Julie Ellenson. “Although TVF&R firefighters frequently train with live fire in specially designed training props at our Training Center, the opportunity to gain experience on a fire in a real home is invaluable.” ###