18 THE CHARBONNEAU VILLAGER November 2021
READY TO RESPOND Fire department opens new station in Charbonneau
Sunshine Service
By JOAN VEDDER
November is a time to express gratitude
PMG PHOTOS : JAIME VALDEZ
TOP LEFT : TVF & R Capt . Dan Mitchael stocks medical supplies in a paramedic truck housed at station 54 in Charbonneau . TOP RIGHT : TVF & R Capt . Dan Mitchael stands where the paramedic truck is housed at station 54 at Charbonneau fire station at the Northwest Spine and Laser Surgery building in Charbonneau . BOTTOM : The new station has a paramedic vehicle , sleeping quarters for all genders , a supply room , kitchen and exercise room .
BY COREY BUCHANAN
Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue recently opened a new fire station in the Charbonneau neighborhood .
Station 54 is the only department facility in the planned community , and its addition means firefighters don ’ t have to travel I-5 to respond to emergencies there .
The district couldn ’ t come to an agreement to purchase land in the area , so it decided to obtain a lease from Willamette Professional Building Owners to occupy a portion of the Northwest Spine and Laser Surgery building on Miley Road next to Charbonneau .
The new 2,600-square-foot station has a paramedic vehicle , sleeping quarters for all genders , a supply room , kitchen and exercise room .
Two employees who operate out
of the station respond to medical calls , which make up a large percentage of requests in the neighborhood . The station doesn ’ t have a firetruck , but the employees can also respond to fires .
The department has previously said the new facility will provide faster response times to medical emergencies and allow it to more easily assist Charbonneau in case of a natural disaster .
Well , I missed Canadian Thanksgiving in October , but I ’ m looking forward to American Thanksgiving this month ! It ’ s
VEDDER the time of the year to express our gratitude and thankfulness for all that we have . As my father used to say , “ it ’ s not what we don ’ t have , it ’ s what we do have .” Somebody will always have more and some will have less . The COVID-19 pandemic dealt us a heavy blow for almost 18 months but , with a little luck , it is beginning to ebb . Not meant to be political here , but I urge you to get vaccinated if you haven ’ t already . It ’ s for my sake as well as yours .
Sunshine Service continues to flourish despite what ’ s going on all around us . I realize that some of you have had to wait longer than usual for your reparative surgery due to COVID-19 hospitalizations taking priority , but we are ready to help whenever you need it . As always , please call us before your surgery so that you can have necessary equipment at home when you return . It ’ s difficult to arrange things on short order , especially if it ’ s a weekend ! I do keep a few items at my own home , such as crutches , walker , shower seat and a wheelchair . Those things must be returned to me and not the CCC !
I frequently get phone calls from nearby communities such as ours , asking about “ Sunshine ” and how it works . Believe me , we are the envy of all .
Transport wheelchairs and ramps , shower benches , bed rails , crutches and many more things are available to Charbonneau residents .