July 7, 2022 9:30 a.m.

To boost capacity within Oregon fire service, the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal has awarded $6 million in grants to structural fire service to hire firefighting staff during the 2022 fire season.

An OSFM release said the funds are going to 180 local fire districts and departments. As part of OSFM’s Response Ready Oregon Initiative, this grant opportunity was available to all 306 local fire districts and departments.

Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said her office has heard from multiple fire chiefs across the state who have said the funding will have a “…profound positive impact” to local communities.

The release said the grant aims to bolster capacity within the Oregon fire service and the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System. OSFM uses it to mobilize the Oregon fire service to incidents like wildfire and floods to help protect Oregonians, their homes and critical infrastructure.

Local fire agencies were able to request up to $35,000 to support staffing during this critical time of year. This additional funding will increase on-duty capacity throughout this fire season at the local level and allow agencies to mobilize quickly to fires at the local, regional and state conflagration levels.

Funding for this grant opportunity was made possible through the Oregon Legislature and Senate Bill 762.