Dec 9, 2024 | AOC Business Partner
Sponsored content contributed by AOC Business Partner: Oregon Corrections Enterprises
Oregon Corrections Enterprises (OCE) goes beyond production—it’s about creating pathways for transformation. Through various industries, OCE provides incarcerated individuals with skills training and experience that prepare them for life beyond incarceration. Among its key offerings, OCE’s furniture division stands out, blending craftsmanship with social impact to deliver high-quality products to government agencies, schools, businesses, and more throughout Oregon.
From ergonomic office furniture to custom seating and durable multipurpose tables, OCE’s furniture is known for its meticulous attention to detail. Each piece reflects the skills of trained artisans and carries a deeper significance — lives being transformed. Adults in custody (AICs) work alongside industry professionals, learning trades such as woodworking, upholstery, and design. Recently, OCE expanded its capabilities to include the design, manufacturing, and installation of casework, further enhancing the scope of its offerings. These skills, backed by certifications, empower AICs to find employment after release, lowering recidivism rates and providing a renewed sense of purpose.
While furniture production is a hallmark of OCE, it is just one of many industries offered. OCE’s diverse operations include signage manufacturing, call centers, laundry services, garment production, multimedia design, and the iconic Prison Blues™ denim apparel line. Every industry presents AICs with skill-building opportunities that prepare them for diverse career fields, from textiles to customer service and digital media.
OCE offers a distinct range of products and services that cater to the needs of county governments, public agencies, and local businesses. By partnering with OCE, county agencies can benefit from competitive pricing, quick turnarounds, and exceptional customer service—all while supporting a mission that positively impacts the lives of AICs.
One significant advantage for Oregon Counties is the ability to procure OCE products through the use of interagency agreements or the OregonBuys platform, where OCE is part of the punchout e-commerce process. This system allows counties and state agencies to streamline their purchasing processes. Under Oregon’s procurement rules, products and services provided by OCE are exempt from competitive bidding requirements. This means that government agencies can bypass the often time-consuming bidding process, saving both time and resources. By choosing OCE, clients not only support a social good but also benefit from faster, more efficient procurement.
Supporting OCE isn’t just about obtaining quality furniture or signage—it’s a direct investment in people and the community. By working with OCE, counties help support transformative programs that reduce recidivism rates and contribute to safer, stronger communities. Together, we’re not just providing products—we’re making an investment in Oregon’s future.
Whether you’re seeking custom-designed office setups or durable outdoor signage, OCE’s offerings reflect the organization’s core belief: with the right opportunities, people can change their lives. Every project helps ensure a lasting positive impact on both individuals and the community.
Oct 29, 2024 | AOC Business Partner
(Pictured above: Acty Mountain camera in Harney County. Each camera can rotate 360 degrees, tilt 220 degrees, and zoom up to 40 times. With near-infrared capabilities, they have a range of up to 30 miles in the day and 40 miles at night.)
Sponsored content contributed by AOC Business Partner: University of Oregon
The frequency and severity of wildfires are rising, driven by climate change, decades of fire suppression, and growth in the wildland-urban interface. But a lab at the University of Oregon has deployed a wildfire intelligence platform that gives counties new tools to spot and track wildfires.
The Oregon Hazards Lab at the University of Oregon (OHAZ) is now part of the world’s largest network of public wildfire cameras. OHAZ has installed dozens of cameras on telecommunications and lookout towers with long-range, 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape. Together, they enable firefighters to discover new ignitions, receive visual information to inform suppression efforts, and monitor fire behavior through containment while keeping people out of harm’s way.
OHAZ has been able to rapidly grow its wildfire camera network thanks to funding by the Oregon State Legislature, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, public utilities, and local partners. There are currently 57 cameras in Oregon, with plans to deploy 75 cameras by the end of 2025 and hundreds more in future years.
In addition, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley directed funds this year to OHAZ to implement recommendations of the Oregon Wildfire Detection Camera Interoperability Committee. The committee is co-chaired by OHAZ and the Oregon Department of Forestry and aims to increase cooperation between agencies in detection camera efforts.
View Wildfire Cameras on the ALERTWest Platform
Any member of the public can view live and timelapse camera footage by visiting ALERTWest.live. This platform displays over 1,200 cameras operated by OHAZ and universities in other western states. In August 2024 alone, more than 12,000 unique users watched Oregon’s wildfire cameras, showing the impact that these tools can have on public safety and situational awareness during fire season.
Emergency managers, firefighters, and other stakeholders with public safety needs can receive login credentials to ALERTWest that allow them to rotate, tilt, and zoom the cameras to monitor specific wildfires. Credentialed users can also receive automated alerts when a new ignition is detected in their region. Over 200 officials from more than 50 different agencies in Oregon currently have camera credentials, including county governments; local utilities, police departments, and fire departments; and land management agencies.
The Cottonwood camera enabled firefighters to monitor the Cow Valley Fire in July 2024. Every two minutes, ALERTWest software takes a panoramic image from each camera and scans the images for new ignitions using wildfire detection algorithms. ALERTWest employees confirm detection validity and then deliver alerts to credentialed users.
County Partnerships Bolster Community Resilience
County partnerships are at the heart of OHAZ’s success. More than simply using login credentials to watch for fires, county governments are integral to the camera network’s expansion and operation. They are crucial partners in hosting camera sites and providing access to the power and telemetry needed to keep cameras operating 24/7. These collaborations reflect the shared commitment of OHAZ and Oregon’s counties to safeguard rural and urban communities alike from the increasing threats posed by wildfire and other hazards. To date, OHAZ has deployed cameras in 19 of Oregon’s 36 counties, which have been valuable resources for monitoring the conflagrations that burned 1.9 million acres across the state in 2024.
OHAZ’s role does not stop with wildfire monitoring. It has also been a key player in Oregon’s efforts to prepare for earthquakes for a decade. The lab continues its work to expand the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN) and strengthen the ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System, which provides precious seconds of warning before dangerous seismic shaking arrives, giving counties the opportunity to protect residents and infrastructure from catastrophic damage.
OHAZ is working to secure additional funding to continue and expand its critical work. Counties interested in supporting OHAZ’s efforts at the state and federal level are encouraged to reach out to Joe Erickson at jerickson@uoregon.edu for more information on how they can help advocate for this critical resource.
OHAZ Wants to Work with Your Community
Emergency managers, firefighters, and other individuals with a public safety mission can email wildfirehelp@uoregon.edu to receive control and alerting credentials for Oregon cameras. Local governments can also email the lab to learn more about hosting camera sites in their county and to receive outreach materials for their residents. Together, we will be ready for next fire season, with an eye in the sky from the High Desert to the Cascade Range, from the forests to your town.
The Oregon Hazards Lab is a hazard monitoring group within the University of Oregon’s Department of Earth Sciences. OHAZ is developing a regional sensor network for understanding, detecting, and mitigating multi-hazards in the Pacific Northwest. The data collected by its instruments advance knowledge of natural disasters and the environment, protect the public through real-time alerting, and contribute to community-level resilience.
Oct 29, 2024 | AOC Business Partner
Sponsored content contributed by AOC Business Partner: NW Natural
Winter is just around the corner, and as safety is one of NW Natural’s core values, we’re always looking ahead. That’s why we want to share the resources that are available to help keep NW Natural customers warm and safe this winter. We encourage you to share these resources with your constituents. You are welcome to copy and paste the resources below into any newsletter or communication you have with constituents in NW Natural’s service territory.* And please reach out if you have any questions.
Below NW Natural has shared three great resources available to customers to prepare for winter. If you are looking for any support, don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
Bill Discount Program
NW Natural’s Oregon Bill Discount Program can save income-eligible customers money every month on their gas bill. Depending on their income level, bill discounts can range from 15% to 80%+. To date, NW Natural has enrolled nearly 50,000 customers — helping to lower household energy bills in Oregon.
The application takes only minutes to complete online, by email, traditional mail, or over the phone. Proof of income is not required to apply. If you are interested in applying or learning more, you can find more information here, or call 503-226-4211 with any questions.
Winter weatherization kits
Weatherizing your home can help immensely with energy savings. And while home upgrades can be expensive, there are some quick, easy improvements you can make. We’ve assembled some of the top winter weatherization items into DIY kits that are available to NW Natural customers. These kits often include:
- Rope caulk
- Door sweep
- Outlet sealers
- Window insulation
- Weatherstripping tape
- Power bank
If you’re curious about getting a weatherization kit, you can reach out to us here. And, to be even better prepared this winter, click here to learn more about how your natural gas appliances can work in a power outage.
Winter Preparedness Fair
NW Natural will be hosting a Winter Preparedness Fair in partnership with The Community Services Network and City of Portland’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability. The fair will be a family-friendly event where you can get more tips to prepare for winter weather, access to bill assistance programs, and learn about utility resource planning. Find access to nonprofit resources, healthcare signup, family activities, free lunch, winter coats, food boxes, home weatherization kits, energy education, bill discount opportunities, vaccinations and more. Food and more provided — bring the whole family!
Details
What: Winter Preparedness Fair
When: Saturday, November 16, 11:00 AM-2:00 PM
Where: Parkrose High School, Portland
For more information, visit the Winter Preparedness Fair website.
*NW Natural works in the following Oregon counties: Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Douglas, Hood River, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Wasco, Washington, and Yamhill.
Oct 29, 2024 | AOC Business Partner
Sponsored content contributed by AOC Business Partner: Energy Trust of Oregon
Working with Energy Trust of Oregon, counties across the state are making strides to achieve their local clean energy goals while reducing operating costs, freeing up funds for core services and becoming more resilient in the face of natural disasters.
Energy Trust is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people and communities thrive through more affordable clean energy solutions. For more than 20 years, it has helped customers save on their energy bills, reduce carbon emissions and improve local economies.
Projects completed in 2023 alone will save customers $761 million over the lifetime of the equipment based on expected energy savings and renewable generation. Funded directly by utility customers, Energy Trust serves customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas and Avista.
“As they say, when you’ve seen one county, you’ve seen one county. And likewise, energy needs also come in all shapes and sizes,” says Chris Lyons, Energy Trust’s senior manager of government and stakeholder relations. “That’s why we offer a variety of services for city and county governments based on their unique goals, concerns, geography and community needs.”
For many communities, the first step is energy planning to understand their local energy goals and energy management needs. Energy Trust can support these efforts with resources, community engagement and program design. For instance, in Deschutes County, Energy Trust worked with local organizations to support data collection and research on how other communities approach energy planning.
To help save energy, Energy Trust provides cash incentives, professional support and recommendations for solutions from adding insulation and upgrading lighting to replacing boilers and more. For new construction projects, it provides early design assistance, energy studies and expertise on how to construct a building with the most efficient technologies and methods, including net-zero energy construction.
“Whether in new or existing buildings, energy-efficient upgrades can create safer, more comfortable buildings that are also more affordable to operate,” says Lyons.
For renewable energy projects, Energy Trust provides project development assistance and installation incentives for rooftop solar systems, biopower projects at water resource recovery facilities and in-conduit hydropower projects at irrigation districts that generate clean electricity and deliver long-term savings. Here are some examples:
- Energy Trust provided early design assistance and other energy-efficient features for a major renovation of the Clatsop County Jail. The county received more than $20,600 in cash incentives for an estimated annual energy cost savings of over $6,900.
- The City of Redmond worked with Energy Trust to replace the roof on a city warehouse and install new insulation, which qualified for nearly $55,000 in cash incentives, zero out-of-pocket costs and an estimated annual energy cost savings of over $33,800.
- Energy efficiency and renewable energy projects can also help communities mitigate and adapt to the increasing prevalence of climate-related events, including winter storms, wildfires and heat waves. “We help communities identify strategies that work for them, like adding renewable energy and battery storage for backup power, using fire-resistant building practices and installing energy-efficient cooling for extreme heat,” said Lyons.
- Improvements can help sustain critical infrastructure and core municipal services. That’s the case in Beaverton, where the city worked with Energy Trust to ensure its public safety center—housing its police and emergency management department—is energy resilient and remains operational, even during power outages or emergencies such as an earthquake.
Want to learn how Energy Trust can help your community? Visit our booth at the AOC Annual Conference to connect with members of the Energy Trust team.
See more stories of clean energy solutions at www.energytrust.org.
Oct 29, 2024 | AOC Business Partner
Sponsored content contributed by AOC Business Partner: iSector
Oregon’s rural communities face long standing challenges in seizing economic opportunities and maintaining the capacity to manage critical public services. Despite the availability of unprecedented federal, state, and philanthropic resources, many rural cities and counties lack the infrastructure and expertise to navigate complex funding systems and implement vital projects, such as water and wastewater improvements or affordable housing initiatives.
The 2024 NW Rural Investment Strategy Summit, part of a broader initiative to address these gaps, brought together over 450 participants from across Oregon, including leaders from philanthropy, financial institutions, nonprofits, and state and federal agencies. The summit’s goal was clear: to develop a strategy ensuring that historic federal investments not only flow into rural Oregon but also catalyze sustainable, long-term growth in these underserved areas.
One of the key outcomes of this ongoing effort is the creation of the Oregon Rural Investment Strategy Partnership. This partnership, a collaboration between iSector, USDA Rural Development, the Association of Oregon Counties, League of Oregon Cities, foundations, and representatives of Oregon Business, aims to design a co-investment framework that aligns public, private, and philanthropic resources for rural communities. The goal is to enhance local capacity, provide technical assistance, and ensure that communities can access and manage the resources they need to thrive.
A pivotal next step that is under construction is the development of a hub or center for technical expertise and resource coordination. Working with organizations that serve rural Oregon, this could support rural cities and counties by providing access to project managers, public works, and planning professionals to assist with essential infrastructure and community development needs. To further accelerate on-the-ground action, it could also include a Community Leverage Fund which could enable cities and counties to offer incentives for collaborative, multi-sector projects.
The Summit and these ongoing initiatives underscore the importance of rural communities to Oregon’s economic future. By building the capacity of these regions and fostering collaboration, we can help them seize opportunities that will sustain their resilience and growth for years to come.
To learn more visit https://isector.org/partnerships/rural-investment-strategy-risp/.
For any questions or to connect with us, please email rural@isector.org.
Sep 24, 2024 | AOC Business Partner
Sponsored content contributed by AOC Business Partner: Metro West Ambulance
Emergency! Help, Call 911! We all hope to never need an ambulance for ourselves or loved ones. Let’s be frank, when it comes to ambulances, most of us just don’t want to think about it. Right up until one is needed at the worst moment in our lives. At Metro West Ambulance and our Family of Companies we are incredibly proud to be the trusted EMT’s and Paramedics multiple counties have chosen to answer calls for help in communities across Oregon 24 hours a day, every day.
As the largest provider of rural emergency medical services and ambulance transport in Oregon we provide access to sophisticated emergency care, as well as behind the scenes but we also provide critically important hospital to hospital transport, critical care transport, and wheelchair transportation. Metro West Ambulance may well be the provider in your community. Our Family of Companies has grown since its’ beginning 71 years ago in Washington County. Through the years we’ve welcomed Medix Ambulance, Clatsop County; Pacific West Ambulance, Lincoln County; Woodburn Ambulance, Marion County; Mid-Valley Ambulance, Lane County; Umpqua Valley Ambulance, Douglas; Bay Cities Ambulance, Coos County, and our newest addition, Pioneer Ambulance, Baker County. All a part of our second generation Oregon family owned business.
Together these companies responded to over 100,000 calls for service last year alone. That is a tremendous contribution to the patients we serve and health care systems of Oregon. While many of these were emergencies that needed life-saving care immediately, many others were moves from one hospital to another for specialized care, or wheelchair transportation for a disabled US Veteran needing to get to an essential medical appointment. Our medics provide hospital at home services and one of our locations operates a non-emergency medical transportation brokerage. We partner with county health departments and others to provide vaccinations and other procedures. Just a few examples of our range of services. Each essential for patients to get the care they need.
Accomplishing this is no easy task. Of course we need facilities and equipment. Most importantly we need highly trained, committed and compassionate employees. An experienced leadership team ties it all together.
Each ambulance is an approximately $300,000 emergency room on wheels including medical equipment and supplies such as self-loading stretchers to prevent back injuries, cardiac monitors, external pace makers, hospital ventilators, life-saving drugs, and mechanical CPR devices just to name a few. Our three dispatch centers are all tied together and share IT infrastructure and data allowing us to coordinate activities and conduct quality assurance with data from every patient encounter system wide. We have clinical oversight from our Physician Medical Directors at each company who are assisted by training officers.
Each company, whether it is Bay Cities Ambulance in Coos County, Pioneer Ambulance in Baker County, or any of the others, operates independently with a local manager who has broad latitude to make decisions appropriate for their community. Metro West provides support for these local mangers in four key areas; patient billing, finance, information technology, and payroll/benefits coordination. Decisions about specialized equipment or medications to carry, staffing levels, and unique training needs for example are made locally. County Commissioners and the Ambulance Service Area Plans they regulate are the glue that holds these systems together.
Metro West and the whole Family of Companies are proud that as a family owned business we do all this without tax support. All of our hundreds of employees, whether they be EMT, Paramedic, Nurse, Dispatcher, or Administrative, wake up every day ready to answer the next call for help.
Contributed by: Shawn Baird, Metro West Ambulance
