The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development is awarding nearly $2.1 million in loans and grants to rural Oregon emergency response agencies for new facilities and equipment announced State Director Vicki Walker today.
“The hardworking men and women of our rural fire and police departments provide an invaluable service to their communities and need access to modern equipment to help them perform their jobs more efficiently and safely,” said Walker. “Too often, these vital emergency response agencies must make do with outdated equipment as a result of their limited revenue. I am proud to announce loan and grant awards for five rural Oregon fire and police departments to help upgrade their facilities and equipment.”
Funding provided through USDA’s Community Facilities Program can be used to construct or renovate community facilities that provide essential services in rural areas, as well as to purchase equipment. Public bodies, community-based nonprofits, and federally-recognized Tribes are eligible to apply. Funding awarded under today’s announcement is contingent upon the recipient meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement.
On the Oregon coast, The Depoe Bay Rural Fire Protection District is receiving a loan of nearly $1.9 million to renovate and make seismic improvements to Fire Station 2300. The renovation will bring the aging building up to current safety and energy efficiency standards and make the station compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The modifications will also provide sufficient space to accommodate the size of new, modern firefighting vehicles, as well as accommodations for the firefighters that will sleep at the station overnight. Overall, these upgrades will enable the station to continue meeting the needs of the local community of more than 2,500 people.
The City of Reedsport on the Oregon coast is receiving a $92,695 grant to purchase three new police vehicles. Over the past 20 years, the city’s budget has declined, leaving the police department able to afford only used patrol vehicles from other municipalities. The used vehicles, however, have required significant maintenance to keep them operational. By replacing these vehicles with new SUVs upgraded with police-specific equipment, the city will save money and ensure its fleet is consistently available to meet the needs of its nearly 4,200 residents.
Located in eastern Oregon near the Idaho border, the Huntington Fire Department serves a population of approximately 440. With an $18,431 grant from USDA, the city will upgrade its fire station to meet the needs of local fire department personnel and the community for years to come. The improvements will include a new roof, updates to the building’s electrical system, and the installation of a heating system.
Also in eastern Oregon, the Medical Springs Rural Fire Protection District has purchased a water tender using a $26,250 grant from USDA. It will serve 135 residents and 125 square miles of public and private lands in rural Baker and Union counties. The district’s 42-year-old water tender needed to be replaced to meet National Fire Protection Association standards and to improve reliability and drivability. The grant was used to purchase and mount a new water tank on a donated chassis.
Additionally, the Chiloquin-Agency Lake Rural Fire Protection District in southern Oregon is receiving a $56,250 grant for a new firefighting vehicle with water storage and pumping capacity. The average age of the district’s current firefighting vehicles is 26 years, while the National Fire Protection Association recommends replacement at 10 years. The new vehicle will help eliminate safety concerns and ensure the district can meet the needs of its more than 700 residents.
This funding builds on USDA’s historic investments in rural America over the past seven years. Since 2009, USDA Rural Development (@USDARD) has funded nearly 9,200 community facilities, such as schools, public safety, and healthcare facilities; invested nearly $13 billion to start or expand nearly 112,000 rural businesses; helped 1.1 million rural residents buy homes; and helped bring high-speed Internet access to nearly 6 million rural residents and businesses. USDA also invested $38.2 billion in 1,057 electric projects that have financed more than 198,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines serving 4.6 million rural residents. To read more about USDA’s investments in rural America, visit USDA's entry on Medium.com, Rural America Is Back in Business.