Country Financial donates over $8,000 to Crook County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue for wildland fire gear
Barney Lerten
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Crook County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce a generous donation from Country Financial in the amount of $8,064 to support the purchase of 16 complete sets of Nomex wildland fire Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the Crook County Search and Rescue team.
This critical donation ensures that SAR volunteers are outfitted adequately with flame-resistant gear during wildfire evacuation operations, allowing them to work safely and effectively in hazardous conditions, sheriff’s Lieutenant Mitch Madden said in a news release Wednesday:
As wildfire activity continues to increase across Central Oregon, this PPE provides an essential layer of protection for those tasked with assisting in evacuations, searching for missing persons, and supporting emergency operations in fire zones.
The donation will cover the full cost of purchasing Nomex pants, shirts, and tools that are vital for rapid and safe response during wildland fire emergencies.
“Local law enforcement and firefighters do so much for our communities; the least we can do is to give back to thank them for their lifesaving work,” said COUNTRY Financial representative Ray Austin in Terrebonne.
“It’s about protecting those who ultimately protect us,” adds COUNTRY Financial representative Joe Mitchell in Prineville. “This way, they can have the very best tools and other gear to help them in their important work.”
The donation is part of COUNTRY Financial’s Operation Helping Heroes program, which donates funds to local police, fire, and other first responders as part of their commitment to giving back to communities where the company does business.
The Crook County Sheriff’s Office extends its sincere thanks to Ray Austin with Country Financial for championing this initiative and helping ensure that the men and women of SAR are ready and protected when duty calls.
About Crook County Search and Rescue
Crook County SAR is a volunteer-based unit under the Crook County Sheriff’s Office, dedicated to providing emergency response for lost, injured, or missing persons in Crook County. The team plays a crucial role in wildfire evacuations and disaster response across the region.
About Country Financial
Country Financial is a national insurance and financial services provider with a longstanding commitment to supporting first responders, public safety, and community resilience efforts across the United States.
For additional information, please contact:
Lt. Mitch Madden
Crook County Sheriff’s Office
Phone: 541-447-6398