TVF&R: large wildfire deployments, rising EMS demand and pilot programs for care alternatives

James Somario, division chief of EMS for Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVF&R), told the City Council on April 28 that the organization responded to extensive wildland deployments in 2024 and continues to see a high volume of emergency medical calls in the Tualatin area.

Somario said Oregon’s 2024 wildland season burned roughly 1.9 million acres and that TVF&R sent 31 members to statewide deployments; Oregon also deployed firefighters to California under interstate mutual-aid agreements. TVF&R reported 60,592 incidents across the district last year, of which 42,774 were EMS calls.

Noting demographic trends, Somario said 60% of EMS calls are for people age 60 or older and described three programs intended to reduce costly emergency responses: advanced practice community paramedics who provide outreach to high-utilizers; a state-funded pilot that pairs a nurse practitioner or physician assistant with paramedics to treat residents at licensed care facilities; and a nurse-navigation telehealth diversion partnership with AMR to route low-acuity calls to more appropriate resources.

On survival metrics, Somario credited local partnerships with law enforcement: "If you have a witnessed cardiac arrest with a shockable rhythm, you have a 44.7 percent chance of survival," he said, noting that the national average is roughly 30 percent.

The district also reported success in recruitment innovations, a passed local-option levy to hire 36 firefighters and paramedics over five years, and active bond-funded capital projects including new and rebuilt stations and a training center. No council action was required at the update; councilors thanked TVF&R for its service and new initiatives.