The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) announced funding awards for the fourth round of the State Preparedness and Incident Response Equipment (SPIRE) Grant Program. The SPIRE program provides life-saving emergency response equipment to state, local, tribal and other eligible agencies across Oregon to strengthen statewide disaster preparedness and response.

More than 120 pieces of equipment will be distributed to 83 jurisdictions statewide, totaling more than $8.1 million in awards.

“Through the SPIRE program, we’re building a stronger, safer Oregon by ensuring our emergency response partners have the tools they need to protect communities,” OEM Director Erin McMahon, said. “This equipment strengthens local capacity, supports mutual aid across jurisdictions, and prioritizing life and safety during disasters.”

Funded projects include a wide range of equipment designed to meet local needs and strengthen Oregon’s overall emergency response network. Examples include:

• High-axle rescue water evacuation vehicles for Harney, Yachats Rural Fire Protection District and Curry counties to support flood response and swift-water rescues.
• Sandbagging machines for Harney, Malheur, Crook, Portland, North to quickly produce flood barriers during severe weather.
• Unmanned aerial vehicles with thermal imaging to assist search-and-rescue efforts in every region of the state.
• Communications unit leader kits, compact rapid deployables and resilient incident connectivity kits to bolster emergency communications when 911 systems or fiber lines are disrupted.
• Generators, mobile command centers, utility terrain vehicles, modular vehicle barriers, traffic message boards and heavy-lift airbags to improve readiness and on-the-ground response.
• Solar charging stations and dual-fuel transport trailers to ensure resilient power and fuel supplies during extended emergencies.

Procurement of SPIRE IV equipment will begin in the coming months. While the purchasing process can take time, OEM is committed to moving as quickly as possible to deliver equipment. All equipment is purchased and owned by OEM but is locally managed and maintained. As such, all vendor communication will be managed by OEM staff; applicants are asked to refer any direct vendor outreach back to OEM.

A complete list of funded and unfunded projects, as well as reviewer feedback, is available at the SPIRE site.

For questions about SPIRE IV, contact oem.spire@oem.oregon.gov.

About SPIRE

Authorized by Oregon House Bill 2867 (2017), the State Preparedness and Incident Response Equipment (SPIRE) Grant Program provides emergency response equipment to state, local, and tribal agencies to help increase disaster response capacity across Oregon. To learn more about SPIRE and see where equipment has been delivered, visit https://spire-geo.hub.arcgis.com.

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Palm Beach County (FL) Fire Rescue unveiled it’s newest pink pumper, a 2009 Sutphen, which will continue the mission of hope, strength, community, and remembrance during Breath Cancer Awareness Month, the department said in a Facebook post.

This engine replaces the original pink pumper, a 1989 Young Crusader engine, which has traveled across the county for more than a decade, supporting people and families affected by cancer.

As one survivor shared: “Whenever we see this truck, we know there’s a community behind us. We know we’re not going through this alone.”

During a transfer ceremony Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, cancer survivors and families took part in a “Transfer of Memories” hooking up the hoses between the old and new trucks, moving helmets, memorabilia, and the truck’s original flag forward to continue the fight. Afterwards, loved ones signed the new truck in honor of the journey, kicking off Breast Cancer Awareness Month a little early.

“To all who have fought, continue to fight, or who have stood beside a loved one—you are not alone,” the post said. “The Pink Pumper rides for you.

“We couldn’t continue the tradition of The Pink Pumper without recognizing the long hours of support from Professional Firefighters/Paramedics of Palm Beach County, Local 2928, IAFF, our PBCFR Retirees, and the PBCFR FACE (Firefighters Attacking the Cancer Epidemic) Team.”

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The opening keynoter for the 2025 Fire Truck Training Conference was Assistant Chief David Griffin of the Charleston (SC) Fire Department. Chief Griffin was the pump operator of the first engine to respond to the Sofa Super Store fire that claimed the lives of 9 Charleston firefighters.

Since that fire, Charleston has implemented a variety of changes in their operations. The department budget was $14.7 million in 2007 but is now $62 million, and part of that budget is devoted to its fleet division. There was no fleet manager in 2007, but there is now, along with one lead repair technician, four additional repair technicians, and the division has requested a mobile technician be added to the budget.

Throughout the presentation, which included a recounting of the events of June 18, 2007, including his deficiencies as a pump operator that day—deficiencies he did not blame on the department but on himself for not striving to be better at that job. He challenged the emergency vehicle technicians in the audience and said, “Why would you not want to be the best?” He praised the technicians in attendance for choosing to come to the Fire Truck Training Conference to ensure they are the best at their jobs and cautioned that those who are not seeking out training are the ones to worry about in any organization. His comments naturally dovetailed with the theme of this year’s conference: The Best Techs Never Stop Training.”

As Griffin concluded his remarks by delivering advice that he said transcends any profession: Do the right things the right way for the right reasons. Doing so is not for you but the people around you.

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