Hillsboro Fire & Rescue is proud to announce the first two recipients of its brand-new paramedic education scholarship: Kiyah Parker, a graduate of Liberty High School, and Nate Pratt, a graduate of Glencoe High School. The scholarship marks a historic milestone for the department and the community it serves.

Both Parker and Pratt completed the Liberty Fire Science Program, building a strong foundation for their future careers in emergency medicine. Thanks to this new scholarship, the entire cost of their paramedic education at Portland Community College will be covered, clearing the path for them to pursue their dreams without the burden of tuition costs.

The scholarship is made possible through a partnership between the City of Hillsboro and Hillsboro Fire & Rescue, with two scholarships awarded annually to students who attend high school in the Hillsboro School District and complete the Liberty Fire Science Program.

Fire Chief David Downey shared his excitement about the program’s launch and what it means for the department’s future:

“We’ve been planning this as a department for a long time. Go to PCC, earn an associate’s degree and paramedic license, and ultimately become paramedic firefighters. This is the first of what we hope is a long and successful story we get to tell as we keep the youth in our community working and thriving. We see this as a partnership between the department and the students themselves.”

Parker and Pratt now begin their journey toward earning associate’s degrees and paramedic licenses, with the ultimate goal of hopefully becoming paramedic firefighters right here in Hillsboro. Their success marks just the beginning of what promises to be a thriving pipeline of homegrown talent serving the community for years to come. 

Congratulations, Kiyah and Nate!