Oregon is strengthening its winter emergency response capabilities with the deployment of new, state-of-the-art snowcats through the State Preparedness and Incident Response Equipment (SPIRE) program. The specialized vehicles, designed for austere environments and extreme winter conditions, are now supporting local jurisdictions across the state.

These highly maneuverable, top-of-the-line snowcats are built to operate in deep snow and hazardous conditions where traditional vehicles cannot safely travel. Equipped with climate-controlled, insulated cabs, the snowcats are capable of safely transporting responders and assisting with the movement of hypothermic patients during severe winter weather events.

Klamath County recently deployed one of the snowcats during the first heavy snowfall of the season to support a search and rescue mission involving multiple motorists who became trapped in deep snow. As conditions rapidly deteriorated and traditional vehicles were unable to access the area, the snowcat was used to safely reach stranded individuals and support response operations during the storm.

The deployment demonstrated the snowcat’s ability to operate in deep snow, poor visibility and confined areas while maintaining stability and performance. Its advanced design and high maneuverability allowed responders to access locations that would have otherwise been unreachable, making it a critical asset for emergency response, access and rescue missions during severe winter weather.

“This snowcat gives us the ability to safely reach people and places we simply couldn’t access before,” Sergeant Dan Towery, Klamath County Sheriff’s Office, said. “During severe winter weather, that capability can mean the difference between delayed response and timely assistance. The climate-controlled cab also allows us to transport patients who are at risk of hypothermia while keeping responders safe and operational.”

Through the SPIRE program, snowcats have been placed with the following agencies to support regional winter response needs:

• Klamath County
• Hood River County Sheriff’s Office
• Umatilla County

By pre-positioning specialized equipment with local partners, SPIRE helps ensure resources are available where and when they are needed most. These snowcats enhance local capacity to respond to winter storms, support stranded residents, maintain access to critical facilities, and assist emergency medical operations in extreme conditions. In addition to supporting local operations, the snowcats enhance the ability to assist neighboring jurisdictions through mutual aid, expanding regional response capacity during severe winter weather and ensuring critical resources can be deployed where they are needed most.

The SPIRE program focuses on equipping local jurisdictions with high-impact response assets that strengthen preparedness, improve coordination, and enhance public safety statewide.

For more information about SPIRE and Oregon’s emergency preparedness efforts, visit www.oregon.gov/OEM.

MORE IMAGES OF THE RECENT RESCUE:

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