Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department
4100 Chain Bridge Rd, Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Phone: 703-246-3801, TTY: 711 and Fax:703-385-1687
Duty PIO (Weekends/After-hours): 703-280-0694
Media Information Line: 703-324-3000
Email: fire-rescue.Pa-LSE@fairfaxcounty.gov
Website: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire

News Release 09-63
Date: August 28, 2009

Firefighters Kick-Off MDA “Fill the Boot” Campaign

Fairfax County firefighters and paramedics, and Local 2068, International Association of Fire Firefighters (IAFF) will launch their annual Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), "Fill the Boot" campaign, Thursday, September 3, 2009, 11:30 a.m., at Fairfax Center Fire and Rescue Station 40.

The kick-off marks the official opening of the 2009 Labor Day Weekend campaign with the first donated dollars being dropped into the MDA boot. Several families living with muscular dystrophy will be present to speak about what it’s like living with the neuromuscular disease. Fire Chief Ronald Mastin, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, and John Niemic, resident, IAFF, Local 2068, will be in attendance.

Firefighters will be collecting in high traffic areas and intersections throughout Fairfax County beginning Labor Day weekend, for "Jerry's Kids." Last year, firefighters and other public safety personnel collected over $502,000 from residents and visitors throughout the area. In 2008, the department was the second highest collecting fire service organization in the country.

Donations will help support MDA services and research programs, including MDA's outpatient clinics for people with neuromuscular diseases at Children's National Medical Center and Georgetown University. The department and the IAFF have a special partnership with the MDA organization and has been a supporter for 55 years.

For more information, call Daniel L. Schmidt or Captain I Willie F. Bailey, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, 703-246-3801 and TTY: 711. Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all county programs, services and activities. Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request.