A coalition of philanthropic and business partners is helping rural fire services, government agencies, and nonprofits to get ready and respond.
Oregon Community Foundation, The Ford Family Foundation, the Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation, and Les Schwab Tire Centers announced a package of support totaling at least $1 million in grants, alongside a statewide tire donation program to strengthen rural fire agencies before fire season takes hold.
The initial commitment of at least $1 million from partner foundations and additional anonymous funders will provide grants to support the nonprofits working to prepare communities and responding when needed.
“When a fire breaks out in a rural community, the volunteers who respond deserve equipment that works and a support system that can move quickly,” said OCF’s Kim Koenig.
Les Schwab Tires will donate $100,000 worth of tires from its Tires for Purpose program to Rangeland Fire Protection Associations, addressing a critical and often overlooked need: fire truck tires are subject to extreme wear and heat stress during wildfire response.
OCF’s Disaster Readiness and Response Fund brings donations starting at $25 from across the state into a single funding pool, enabling OCF to quickly deploy grants when disaster strikes.
To donate to the fund, visit oregondisasterfundersnetwork.org.
