BCSO has been awarded a Mobile Command Center (trailer) thanks to SPIRE Grant

By Shannon Weidemann (McKone) on Wednesday, April 26th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News

BAKER COUNTY – The Baker County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) has been granted a Mobile Command Center (trailer) thanks to the State Preparedness and Incident Response Equipment (SPIRE) Grant through the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM).

BCSO was one of 45 awardees of this grant. According to BCSO, “this integral piece of equipment will be utilized during search and rescue operations, special tactical operations and natural disaster events (wildfire, flood, avalanche, etc.). It can also be pre-equipped as a backup center for dispatch, in the event that an emergency required BCSO to evacuate the premises.

At times, during search and rescue missions, command is staged in a pickup truck or communication truck. This mobile command center offers a larger area to accommodate command staff, a tactical dispatcher, and public information/media communications which will allow for better control and safety of the operation. “

In a release from OEM it was noted that “The SPIRE Grant provides practical equipment to help save lives and property during emergencies by allowing for a more efficient response at the local level,” said OEM Grants Coordinator Carole Sebens. “Oregon Department of Emergency Management is prioritizing filling gaps in communities across Oregon to ensure our partners have the equipment they need to respond to emergencies and disasters that may impact their region.”

Applications were open to any organization responsible for or containing expertise in emergency preparedness that is a local government, special government body, or a 501(c)(3) private organization, including federally recognized tribes. A selection committee comprised of volunteers from different emergency management disciplines and geographic areas reviewed the applications using criteria provided by the state. Recipients were selected based on four principles: The demonstrated need, the ability to keep and maintain the equipment, an inventory process and a commitment to partnership-based support.

The first round of the SPIRE Grant took place in 2019 and funded 79 awardees with 81 pieces of equipment, ranging from water purification trailers, mass casualty incident support trailers and high-axle all-terrain vehicles to portable power generators, fuel transportation tankers and mobile water tankers. A third grant round will open later this year.”