REDMOND, OR -- The city of Redmond has reached an agreement to relocate the Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center from Prineville to the Redmond Airport. COID provides dispatch support and coordination for high-risk incidents; most commonly large wildfires. Redmond’s Community Development Director Heather Richards says the deal creates a great partnership. "They can leverage Roberts Field, and the infrastructure there to launch their air fleet, in terms of their firefighting. And, they also have other campus entities at Roberts Field, as well; so we’re bringing that all together." COID works with the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, Prineville BLM and Oregon’s Department of Forestry, among other agencies.
Richards says, "It’s something we’ve been working on for at least the last 8 or 9 years. But, coming to a conclusion, where we were able to negotiate an agreement where the city can come in and build the facility for them and negotiate a long lease for them, that was a very big project and a very big step for us and them." The city will work with the Forest Service to design the new 7,000 square foot dispatch center; COID has agreed to a 20-year lease.
Richards expects construction to begin within the next year.
To hear our full conversation with Heather Richards, visit our Podcast Page.
