Emergency response in Oregon has been upgraded through the State Preparedness and Incident Response Equipment (SPIRE) grant program. Grants Pass Fire Rescue and Douglas County Fire District No. 2 have received Emergency Integrated Lifesaving Lanyard (E.M.I.L.Y.) devices, specialized water rescue tools, according to the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM).
Joseph Hyatt of Grants Pass Fire Rescue noted that the device can quickly travel across swift water to deliver flotation to people in danger. He emphasized that it adds a valuable tool for handling water rescue situations more safely.
Douglas County Fire District No. 2 also received an E.M.I.L.Y. device. Fire Chief Rob Bullock stated that the department saw the benefits of the equipment immediately and that it would assist in increasing survivability for individuals in water-related emergencies.
The equipment was delivered in May and is now part of Oregon’s SPIRE Hub, a public platform designed to support mutual aid and improve situational awareness. The SPIRE program focuses on equipping first responders with essential technology, and the availability of this equipment on the SPIRE map allows for better coordination across jurisdictions.
