The Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue District has been awarded a $758,000 grant from the Oregon Department of Human Services.

The grant is one of four given to local cities and agencies as part of a $2.35 million initiative to fund local pilot projects to address emergency medical services needs of older adults who live in long-term care facilities under the Senior Emergency Medical Services Innovation Program, a byproduct of the 2021 Oregon House Bill 2397. Funding for the grants started in January 2025 and will continue through December 2026.

The $758,000 going to TVF&R will fund an Advanced Resource Medic unit.

“This unit will be staffed with advanced practice paramedics and physician assistants who can respond to emergency calls from licensed facilities and provide the care needed to reduce unnecessary hospital visits for residents,” an ODHS release stated.

Each year, TVF&R responds to about 45,000 calls for emergency medical services. Of those calls, 14% are from long-term care facilities.

The aim of the Senior Emergency Medical Services Innovation Program is to focus on promoting quality emergency medical services for older adults “while also ensuring efficiency and encouraging community-based responses to challenges.” Along with TVF&R, grants were awarded to Eugene-Springfield Fire, the city of Lake Oswego and the city of Albany.

Eugene-Springfield Fire will use its $1.2 million grant to fund a Community Aid Response Unit to respond to residents of long-term care facilities and stay on scene to provide services that take longer than a typical emergency response.

Lake Oswego’s $288,000 grant will fund risk reduction and prevention programming for older adults in the community. The city fire department will hire a risk reduction specialist to partner with long-term care facilities to develop emergency plans. Lake Oswego will also work to develop a master emergency plan that care facilities across the state can reference while preparing their own plans.

The city of Albany will use its $68,000 grant to fund a Care Facility Response Safety Program that will train facility staff on using lifting devices and responding to falls.

“Each of these pilot projects represents a step forward for our state as we look to meet the needs of older adults and use community emergency response resources effectively.” Nakeshia Knight-Coyle, director of the Department of Human Services Office of Aging and People with Disabilities, said.