The Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council and the Heart of Oregon Corps partnered in 2022 to form the Central Oregon Wildfire Workforce Partnership, or COWWP, under the Oregon Conservation Corps funding opportunity. Continued support has come from the Oregon Department of Forestry Small Forestland Grant and the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Community Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant.

Young adult crews perform fuels reduction work on private and public property within Jefferson, Deschutes, and Crook Counties. Work has been prioritized for underserved and low-income communities and has ranged from tree thinning, chipping, brush removal, and ladder fuels reduction in natural areas to create defensible spaces around homes, neighborhoods, and critical infrastructure.

Through the COWWP program, youth receive certifications in Entry Level Wildland Firefighting in partnership with the Oregon Department of Forestry & the U.S. Forest Service. Other trainings include S212 chainsaw certifications, Home Ignition Zone trainings in partnership with the Oregon State Fire Marshal and Oregon State University Extension, and more. The COWWP program also trains and employs local youth and young adults in wildfire reduction and related skills. In addition to gaining on-the-job training, certifications, and knowledge in fire fuel reduction practices, youth in the program will receive wages, scholarships, additional workforce training in both soft and hard skills to prepare them to enter the professional workforce. Youth, young adult, and staff positions are available now and applications are at www.heartoforegon.org or at www.coic.org.

For project information or to discuss a potential fuels reduction project in your community, fill out the application below.

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