SENATORS ANNOUNCE NEARLY $2.2 MILLION FOR RURAL FIRE RECRUITMENT

Thursday, August 7, 2023

KQEN

On Wednesday, Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced that four rural Oregon Fire Departments, including two in Douglas County, will receive a combined nearly $2.2 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for firefighter recruitment and retention.

Wyden said, “Firefighters have been working hard this past summer and year-round to protect lives and livelihoods throughout Oregon and they deserve quality pay and time-off”. Wyden said the federal investment in Oregon is especially timely given firefighter’s heroic work this summer battling blazes.

Merkley said, “As fires and emergencies can break out at any time, its essential that we have enough firefighters available to meet the moment”. Merkley said the funding will help protect Oregon communities by ensuring rural districts have the staffing and resources needed when disaster strikes.

A release said the grants come from FEMA’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Program, which awards grants to assist local fire departments with staffing and deployment capabilities to respond to emergencies. The funds will be allocated:

*Over $492,000 for North Douglas County Fire and EMS in Drain

*Over $611,000 to Tenmile Rural Fire District, northwest of Winston

*Over $309,000 to Siletz Rural Fire Protection District

*Nearly $770,000 to Stayton Fire District