Ottawa Fire Services set to host annual fire truck pull for Epilepsy Ottawa

The long-awaited Ottawa Fire Truck Pull will gather friends and family in the capital on October 21 at Lansdowne Park.

Teams of 10 brave participants will gear up to prove they have what it takes to pull a ten-tonne fire truck 100 feet across Lansdowne Park. For some friendly competition, the teams that move the fastest, raise the most money and demonstrate unwavering team spirit will win prizes.

The Ottawa Fire Truck Pull is a beloved event in the Ottawa community, attracting over 2,000 people each year, whether it be to compete, spectate, volunteer, or bond with family. Since 2018, the event has raised over $95,000 for Epilepsy Ottawa.

The event is also a way to appreciate the courageous firefighters who keep Ottawa safe. Each year at the event, the Ottawa Fire Services pay tribute to Shawn Mathieson, an Ottawa-based firefighter who tragically died in a 2016 snowmobile accident.

Nikki Porter, Executive Director of Epilepsy Ottawa, describes the fire truck pull as a staple event in Ottawa for its work to promote the mission of the Ottawa Fire Services, raise awareness about epilepsy, and encourage community building in Ottawa. “Watching the teams dressed up, coming together to pull a massive fire truck is one of the highlights of our year. We are grateful for the generosity of our teams and their donors who make this event such a success,” Porter said.

The Ottawa Fire Truck Pull is a staple Ottawa event, promoting the work and mission of The Ottawa Fire Services, developing awareness around epilepsy, and providing dozens of businesses, rec teams, workplaces, families, and friend groups an opportunity to engage, interact, and have fun in the community.

“I am excited to once be again part of this fun and unique event that is for such a great cause. Our Fire Service is always honoured to support this event, and I look forward to seeing another great turnout this year,” said Ottawa Fire Chief Paul Hutt.

Anyone can sign up to participate at ottawafiretruckpull.com.

The cause

One hundred percent of proceeds from the Ottawa Fire Truck Pull will be donated to epilepsy services in the community.

Every day, someone discovers that they have epilepsy, a debilitating, seizure-causing disability. Epilepsy can drastically affect someone’s life, interfering with everyday occurrences such as driving, work, relationships, and hobbies.

Epilepsy Ottawa is a local not-for-profit dedicated to supporting and enriching the lives of over 10,000 people in the Ottawa region living with epilepsy. It is the only agency in Ottawa with a mandate to improve the quality of life for people with epilepsy and their loved ones through support services, education, advocacy, and ongoing public awareness.

Epilepsy Ottawa is dedicated to creating a community where people affected by epilepsy are empowered and supported to live life to the fullest, free of stigma and barriers.

For more information or to donate, visit https://www.ottawafiretruckpull.com.