August 31, 2021

Merkley, Wyden Announce $1.6 Million in Firefighter Assistance Funds

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that over $1.6 million in firefighter assistance funding is coming to Oregon.

“I am deeply grateful for the courage and expertise of our firefighters, whose tireless commitment to protecting our communities has saved lives and livelihoods,” said Merkley. “It’s our responsibility to make sure they have all of the tools and support they need to keep up their impressive work. I’m fully committed to doing everything I can to continue securing those resources, and to tackle the root causes of our increasingly catastrophic wildfires.”

“The firefighters who put in long hours for days on end risking their lives to keep Oregonians and our homes safe deserve every ounce of our support,” Wyden said. “I’m glad these FEMA resources are heading to communities throughout Oregon, and I’ll keep battling for additional aid both to assist firefighters across our state and to reduce wildfire risk.”

The investments are being allocated under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. Roughly $502,700 of the funds are headed to Klamath Falls to help cover the cost of vehicles. $268,500 is going to Seaside to support operations and safety at the Hamlet Rural Fire Protection District. The Lane Fire Authority will receive $250,000 to purchase vehicles for firefighting efforts in Veneta. Roughly $232,000 is headed to Salem to support operations and safety through the Public Safety Standards and Training organization. $200,000 and roughly $160,900 in funds will go to the Dayton Fire District and the City of Warrenton, respectively, to cover costs associated with operations and safety. In addition, Jacksonville’s Applegate Valley Rural Fire Protection District 9 will receive approximately $15,700 to invest in operations and safety projects.

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