Linn County Sheriff Bruce Riley and his staff are celebrating the expansion of First Responder Appreciation Day, typically celebrated on September 27th, to now be the entire week. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown recognized the significant contributions made to the public by first responders, issuing a proclamation on Aug. 31, declaring the week from September 24th to 30th as “First Responders Appreciation Week.”
“Here at the Sheriff’s Office, we are very accustomed to working side-by-side with our friends in the Fire and EMS professions. As the Public Safety Answering Point for all 9-1-1 calls throughout Linn County, we take great pride in coordinating response efforts from all disciplines of first responders, and join together with our local community to celebrate this week”, said Sheriff Bruce Riley.
Over the last 90 days, local first responders have assisted throughout Linn County and the State of Oregon on wild fires, including the Chetco Bar Fire, the Eagle Creek Fire in the Gorge, and the Whitewater Fire burning in east Linn County. In addition, Search and Rescue personnel have risked their lives to rescue those caught in harms way in the wilderness areas of Linn County, Water Rescue members have rendered assistance to those in near-drowning situations on our local waterways, and Deputies and Detectives have worked to investigate complex crimes, keep neighborhoods and property safe from criminals, prepared for a large-scale influx of visitors for the Solar Eclipse, and protected our children on their routes to school as summer winded to a close. The diversity of responsibilities our local first responders attend to, and the calls for service they go on, try their skills and professionalism each day. Their commitment to excellence on every call, and in every public interaction doesn’t go unnoticed by our local Linn County community.
Please join Sheriff Bruce Riley, his Undersheriff Jim Yon, and all staff in thanking our local First Responders whenever and wherever you come across them during this week.