Clatsop County first responders in Oregon are set to strengthen emergency communications after receiving a $1.031 million federal grant for public safety infrastructure upgrades.
U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici presented a ceremonial check to county officials with the funding expected to support law enforcement, fire agencies, emergency medical services and other first responders across the county.
The funding, secured through the federal Community Project Funding program, will help improve the county’s emergency communications infrastructure, strengthen radio coverage and improve coordination between public safety agencies during major incidents.
Clatsop County Sheriff Matt Phillips said the investment would improve public safety resilience as agencies prepare for emergencies including a potential Cascadia earthquake, wildfires, flooding and other large-scale events.
“This is a really big day for us in public safety in Clatsop County,” Phillips said. “A little over a million dollars is going to go a long way to improve our public safety infrastructure, especially as we prepare for a potential Cascadia event, wildfire, flooding and other significant events where we need to improve the resiliency and redundancy of the system.”
Public safety leaders including Phillips, Astoria Fire Chief Dan Crutchfield and Astoria Police Chief Stacy Kelly attended the presentation alongside other local officials and emergency services representatives.
Bonamici said the project stood out during a competitive funding process because of its impact on rural communities and countywide emergency response.
“We do get a lot of requests for community project funding,” Bonamici said. “One of the things I look at is how this will help communities, especially rural communities. We knew this project would benefit people throughout Clatsop County. We know how important it is to have this communication to help first responders.”
Bonamici added that the upgraded communications system could also benefit visitors to the Oregon Coast, where seasonal tourism can significantly increase demand on public safety services.
“There are a lot of people who run away from danger,” Bonamici said. “You run toward it to help all of us.”
Phillips said dependable communications are critical as agencies prepare for increasingly complex emergency incidents. The upgraded system is expected to improve coordination among police departments, fire districts and emergency responders serving Astoria, Warrenton, Gearhart, Seaside, Cannon Beach and surrounding rural communities.
“We know we’re a tourist destination,” Phillips said. “Our population grows significantly during the busy season, and rural counties are often providing urban-level services.”
Clatsop County Board of Commissioners Chair Mark Kujala said the project reflected cooperation among local, county and federal partners.
“This funding is especially important for rural counties,” Kujala said. “We have a lot of geographic challenges, and we have a lot of community partners that we need to bring together. This money for emergency communications is going to go a long way toward solidifying communication.”
Phillips said the investment would strengthen public safety across Clatsop County for years to come.
“There are just so many people who will benefit from this system,” Phillips said. “We will be sure to take care of it.”
