Redmond, Ore. – In a significant boost to local public safety, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has granted Redmond Fire & Rescue $253,000. The funding is part of a larger $14 million allocation to fire departments and first‑responder agencies across the Pacific Northwest and Alaska for fiscal year 2025.
How the grant will be used
The Assistance to Firefighters Grants program, which supplied more than $9.3 million of the total award pool, allows recipients to purchase compliant personal protective equipment, acquire new emergency‑response vehicles and develop health, wellness and resiliency initiatives for their crews. Redmond Fire & Rescue plans to direct the money toward updated turnout gear, a replacement fire engine and expanded mental‑health resources for its personnel.
FEMA’s broader investment in regional safety
FEMA distributed the money through three grant programs: Assistance to Firefighters Grants, Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response, and Fire Prevention and Safety. The agency made $648 million available when the opportunities were announced in May 2026. Other notable recipients include the Walla Walla County Fire Protection District ($1 million), the Alaska Department of Natural Resources ($425,000) and Kootenai County Fire & Rescue in Post Falls, Idaho ($120,000).
Under the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response program, more than $3.6 million went to agencies in Alaska, Oregon and Washington to cover firefighter salaries and support recruitment and retention. Highlights include $710,000 for Fire District #1 Stevens County in Washington and $685,000 for the City of Valdez Fire Department in Alaska.
The Fire Prevention and Safety grant program awarded over $1 million to organizations focused on research, technology development and firefighter health. The University of Washington received $600,000, while the Albany Fire Department in Oregon was granted more than $400,000.
What this means for Redmond residents
Mayor Jeff Miller praised the grant, noting that the additional resources will help keep Redmond’s neighborhoods safe and ensure that firefighters have the tools they need to respond quickly to emergencies. “Our brave men and women put their lives on the line every day,” Miller said. “This federal support strengthens our ability to protect families and property across the city.”
Redmond Fire & Rescue Chief Sarah Henderson echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that the grant will also fund wellness programs aimed at reducing stress and improving overall health for the department’s personnel. “Healthy firefighters are better equipped to serve our community,” Henderson said.
Continuing federal assistance
FEMA has indicated that additional awards under the FY 2025 grant programs will be announced over the next week, further reinforcing the agency’s commitment to bolstering fire and emergency services throughout the region.
Local officials encourage residents to stay informed about fire safety measures and to support the department’s ongoing efforts to keep Redmond safe.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
