My story is much like many Canadians, perhaps not that different from yours.  My parents immigrated from The Netherlands in the 1950s, settling on a dairy farm. We grew up going to school, working on the farm, enjoying 4H and being part of the fabric of rural community.

With the physical strains of farm life, I never had to wonder about my mother’s aches and pains at the end of a long day. Struggling to rise from her chair, the complex realities of myotonic dystrophy had yet to dawn on me.

As a volunteer Fire Fighter, I became aware of Muscular Dystrophy Canada and their work with Canadian Fire Fighters, from coast to coast. However, my department had never really been involved as fundraising was less of a priority than firefighting.

So, what changed for the Fire Fighters in the village of Martintown? Well, it became personal.
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Guelph Rooftop Campout 2016

Amongst the numerous ways Fire Fighters support Muscular Dystrophy Canada the Rooftop Campouts has become a very popular winter fundraising event.  It’s been over a decade since Rooftop Campouts were introduced in Alberta as another way for Fire Fighters, who have partnered with us since 1954, to challenge their communities to raise awareness and funds for Muscular Dystrophy Canada.  Rooftop Campouts have expanded nationwide and you can find one in every province throughout Canada.  Fire Fighter participants will endure below freezing temperatures, or opt for blistering summer heat, inclement weather, and whatever else nature throws their way during multi-day Rooftop Campouts.

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The National Fire Fighter Relations Committee (NFFRC) is an advisory committee to the Board of Directors of Muscular Dystrophy Canada.

The committee is comprised of up to twelve voting members who represent the fire service across Canada. Members of the committee are chosen on a provincial basis to represent the Fire Fighters in that province on the NFFRC.

The chair of the NFFRC is automatically given a seat on the Board of Directors where there are, currently, three additional directors who serve, or have served, in the fire service. This demonstrates the value that Muscular Dystrophy Canada places in the support received from Fire Fighters since 1954.

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Experience tells us that a high percentage of fires occur in the kitchen. Cooking is the main cause of home fires and fire injuries. You can prevent cooking fires. We strongly suggest you take these steps to keep yourself and your family safe while preparing meals.

• Cook when you are alert. Do not cook if you are drowsy or if you feel the effects of medication.
• Do not wear loose-fitting clothes when you cook.
• Roll your sleeves over your elbows when you cook.
• Move things that can burn away from the stove. This includes dishtowels, bags, boxes, paper, and curtains.
• Never leave a stove unattended while cooking. Turn off the stove if you must move away, even for a moment. Keep an eye on what you fry!
• Keep children and pets away. We suggest you create a three-foot safe-zone around the stove.
• Always use a pan with a lid that fits properly.
• Keep a lid nearby to smother any flames that occur unexpectedly.
• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so no one can bump them or pull them over.
• Be extremely careful when you have to move hot water from the stove to the sink. If practical use a ladle or a scoop to remove food from a boiling pot.
• Keep the area around your stove clean.
• Do not allow grease to build up around the stove. Built-up grease can catch on fire.

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September is Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month, and no one helps us spread awareness of neuromuscular disorders like our clients and our close friends, the Fire Fighters of Canada.  

Fire Fighters share a unique and special bond with both Muscular Dystrophy Canada, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association in the United States of America. In the same year MDC became an organization, 1954, the IAFF resolved to support muscular dystrophy associations to help make their campaigns a success.

Today, we are still working together providing support and funding for assistive devices, and research towards a cure. We asked our Fire Fighter friends from across Canada to describe their connection to MDC and those living with neuromuscular disorders:

“I am one of the co organizers of our Dauphin Fire Department Rooftop Campout for Muscular Dystrophy.  I am inspired to see families affected by muscular dystrophy overcome their challenges and live life to the fullest. I am proud to be part of this team, and I will continue to fight alongside Muscular Dystrophy Canada until a cure is found.  I started this because I knew our Department, Members and Community would stand behind it.  We help people, and those that need our help we step up for them.  I am honored to be able to make a difference.”

Robbie Tomkins

Dauphin Fire Department – MB

“I started fundraising for Muscular Dystrophy when I joined Tumbler Ridge Fire Department. Through the years, seeing the positive outlook and courage to overcome so many obstacles people with neuromuscular disorders face keeps me motivated to continue to fundraise until there is a cure. Their never give up attitude when faced with these challenges has shown me to never give up when faced with my own.”

Diana Vandale

Tumbler Ridge Fire Department

Northern Region Advisor – BC/Yukon

“Tradition, commitment and hope are words that I use to explain to people what our relationship is with Muscular Dystrophy Canada and those affected by neuromuscular disorders. The fire service took on a commitment in 1954 to support this charity. We will continue to fundraise, be advocates and support them, with the hope that a cure will be found. Great strides have been taken allowing people with neuromuscular disorders to live better quality of lives. I’ve had the opportunity over the last 15 years to attend conferences, events & meet the people and families who are affected by neuromuscular disorders. Their positive attitude and outlook on life inspires me to continue our efforts. Listening to the researchers, I know that day is on the horizon. Together we can make muscles move!”

Captain Bob Patton

Nelson Fire Rescue

Nelson PFFA Local 1343

BC/Yukon Advisor

BC Rep NFFRC

“I started doing this work, and continue to do so, because of the people I have met.  Some of the people I drove early in my career, passed away at an early age; now I have many friends affected by neuromuscular disorders, some well into their adult lives. I like to think the work of all the Fire Fighters makes a huge difference for those affected by making it easier for equipment to be funded and for researchers to work at searching for a cure.

The people I have met – those affected by neuromuscular disorders, their families, other Fire Fighters, staff, board members, researchers and volunteers – have all made me a better, more compassionate, and focused person. Leana and I even rode our motorcycle across Canada this year, which we probably wouldn’t have done if I were not attending the Atlantic Fire Fighters Conference during Youth In Action Atlantic.

After over a decade of fundraising for Muscular Dystrophy Canada, two of my siblings were diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, so the quest for a cure continues.”

Kerry Zado

Langford Fire Rescue

Lower Vancouver Island Region Advisor – BC/Yukon

National Fire Fighter Relations Committee Chair

“I started supporting Muscular Dystrophy Canada before I became a Fire Fighter when I would help my Dad and other members of the Fire Department with the Annual Boot Drive.

When I became a Member of Ladysmith Fire/Rescue, I took a full and active role in the fundraising and eventually was asked to represent the Department at the Annual Conference and Banquet in Vancouver. That weekend changed my life. That weekend listening to clients share their stories and relay how the Fire Fighters have impacted their lives made an immediate impact. I approached the Fire Fighter Advisor for my region and said, ‘If there is anything I can do to help just let me know!’

I became convinced that no matter what we did we needed to do more, and started working on ways to increase our efforts in both fundraising and raising awareness. Ladysmith Fire/Rescue still has it Annual Boot Drive, and now we also have a booth at our town’s annual Christmas Festival of Lights, as well as a Haunted House for Halloween. We are also major supporters of the Walk for Muscular Dystrophy in our area, which I am also the local coordinator of. I have had many great opportunities since becoming involved with Muscular Dystrophy Canada, but nothing compares to the friends I have made with the people within this organization, fellow Fire Fighters, employees, and clients alike.”

Dwain King – Ladysmith Fire/Rescue