Oregon State Fire Marshal Honors Fire Safety Leaders With Golden And Silver Sparky Awards - 06/16/26

Media Advisory: Silver Sparky Award Presentation June 10 In Medford - 06/08/26

The Oregon State Fire Marshal will present the Silver Sparky Award to a Mercy Flights volunteer.

When:
Wednesday, June 10, 3:00 p.m.

Where:
Medford Fire Station 14
2208 Table Rock Rd., Medford

This year’s Silver Sparky recipient is being recognized for decades of dedicated leadership with the Mercy Flights Explorer Post 131 in Jackson County. Through sustained mentorship and a strong commitment to youth development, the awardee built one of Oregon’s most impactful emergency services career pathways. Many of the young people they guided have gone on to serve their communities as firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, nurses, law enforcement officers, and physicians.

Since 1977, the Silver Sparky Award has been one of the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s highest honors, recognizing a civilian or civilian agency for outstanding achievement in fire prevention or public safety education.

Media Advisory: Golden Sparky Award Presentation June 10 In Roseburg - 06/08/26

The Oregon State Fire Marshal will present the Golden Sparky Award to a member of the Roseburg Fire Department.

When:
Wednesday, June 10, 11:00 a.m.

Where:
Roseburg Fire Department, Umpqua Room (downstairs)
700 SE Douglas Ave., Roseburg

This year’s Golden Sparky recipient is being honored for leading innovative community risk reduction outreach in Roseburg, where data showed that 40% of households included someone with a disability. In response, the awardee helped develop and strengthen partnerships with the Umpqua Valley disAbilities Network and the Aging and Disability Resource Connection, expanding education and safety support for at‑risk community members.

Since 1977, the Golden Sparky Award has been one of the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s highest honors, recognizing a fire service member or fire agency for outstanding fire prevention or public safety education achievement.

As Wildfire Awareness Month Ends, State Fire Marshal Celebrates One Year Partnership Anniversary With IBHS - 05/27/26

SALEM, Ore. – As Wildfire Awareness Month comes to a close, the Oregon State Fire Marshal is urging all Oregonians to carry this momentum into the summer wildfire season by taking proactive steps to protect their homes and communities.

“Wildfire risk doesn’t end in May; preparedness is a year‑round commitment,” State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “We’re working closely with communities and partners to help Oregonians become more resilient.”

This May also marks one year since the Oregon State Fire Marshal partnered with the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) to increase wildfire resilience across the state. A memorandum of understanding, signed on May 2, 2025, continues to guide joint efforts to bring cutting‑edge wildfire research and practical tools directly to Oregon communities.

Over the past year, the Oregon State Fire Marshal and IBHS have worked closely to integrate wildfire research, expand training, and support local preparedness initiatives.

• The Oregon State Fire Marshal is working in collaboration to harness the power of IBHS research to inform its grant programs, investments, and information to get Oregonians better prepared for wildfire.
• In June 2025, the OSFM and IBHS held a live demonstration burn in Salem to show how defensible space and home hardening can dramatically increase a home’s chances of surviving a wildfire.
• In May 2026, the state fire marshal launched an educational campaign focused on the first five feet around a home. This campaign is guided by IBHS research.
• IBHS research about the immediate 0–5-foot zone is incorporated in Oregon’s new model defensible space code, available for local adoption.
• IBHS continues to serve as a peer reviewer for agency training programs, including the CORE program, a training for community partners to use the best available science to increase wildfire resilience at the neighborhood level.
• Several workshops, preparedness events, field tours, and other events have been hosted through the partnership to ensure every Oregonian knows about the importance of wildfire preparedness

As summer approaches, the Oregon State Fire Marshal is encouraging every Oregonian to take simple, effective actions to reduce wildfire risk, especially within the first five feet of the home.

“Our partnership with IBHS is helping us bring the best available science directly to the people we serve,” said Ruiz-Temple. “Together, we’re taking meaningful steps that make Oregon communities safer, one foot at a time.”

“The work of the Oregon State Fire Marshal and IBHS is putting the state in the best possible position to be prepared as we look ahead to future wildfire seasons,” said Oregon Insurance Commissioner TK Keen, who is also the administrator of the Division of Financial Regulation (DFR). “By integrating the best available wildfire science with Oregon-specific data, we are developing real solutions to wildfire risks that affect so many people and the cost of their insurance. Keeping insurance affordable and available is a top priority for our agencies, and this collaboration continues to help property owners and policymakers as we deal with the risks of wildfires.”

For more resources, a free defensible space assessment, and other tools, visit preventwildfires.oregon.gov.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF THE OREGON STATE FIRE MARSHAL

Since 1917, the Oregon State Fire Marshal has been dedicated to protecting people, property, and the environment from fire and hazardous materials. The agency works with local fire agencies, communities, and other partners to strengthen fire prevention, preparedness, and response statewide.

Please note: the Oregon State Fire Marshal is no longer an office after becoming an independent state agency in 2023.