In appreciation of the services that rural fire departments provide for the safety of the communities of eastern Oregon, The OTEC Member Foundation was proud to donate $1,500 to the Dayville Fire Department to help support their efforts in building a new fire station and fixing fire equipment.

The OTEC Member Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, oversees Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative’s (OTEC) charitable programs supporting OTEC members, families and communities in Baker, Grant, Harney, and Union counties.

“OTEC and the OTEC Member Foundation place a high value in strengthening our partnerships with rural fire departments across our service territory, so we can leverage shared goals to help increase resources for responding to emergencies and help one another protect the communities we call home.” said Lea Hoover, OTEC’s Director of Member and Strategic Services who’s also Executive Director of the Foundation. “We are thrilled to donate funds from our Member-to-Member Bill Round Program to support Dayville and we look forward to supporting other rural fire departments throughout OTEC’s territory.”

The money donated came from The Member Foundation’s Member-to-Member Bill Round Up Program, where OTEC members can round their monthly bill up to the nearest dollar. It is a voluntary program run by OTEC and has no effect on OTEC’s rates. OTEC members who sign up for the program donate an average of around $12 a year.

The Dayville Fire Department has been without a fire hall since 2020, and with a low revenue stream, have been depending on private donors to help fund the new building. The department has recently hit their goal and now will begin the bidding process and they hope to soon begin construction.

“We truly appreciate the efforts of OTEC and other donors, it really helps small communities like ours out.” said Ilah Bennett, Mayor of Dayville.

The OTEC Member Foundation plans to continue using funds from the Member-to-Member Bill Round Up Program to donate to rural fire departments and other local responders in the future. If you would like to sign up for Member-to-Member Bill Round Up, please call OTEC at 541-523-3616.