Oregon emergency management director outlines 9-1-1 modernization, grant mix and post‑fire mitigation needs

Erin McMahon, director of the Oregon Department of Emergency Management, briefed the House Committee on Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans on Jan. 23 about plans to transition the state to next‑generation 9‑1‑1, the agency’s grant portfolio and ongoing wildfire recovery work.

McMahon told lawmakers that OEM is largely federally funded — “less than 7% of our operating budget is from the general fund” — and that the state’s 9‑1‑1 program manages about $80,000,000 in annual 9‑1‑1 tax revenue. She said a major technical upgrade, described in the presentation as next‑generation 9‑1‑1, is scheduled to begin core‑service acquisition in 2025 and would allow voice, photo, video and text to flow to public safety answering points (PSAPs).

The nut graf: The director framed modernization and federal grants as central to Oregon’s emergency capacity — “For every $1 that you invest in OEM, $10 of federal funds come into our organization,” McMahon said — while emphasizing that federally funded programs often require local matches that can hinder mitigation and recovery in communities with fewer resources.

McMahon described recent PSAP consolidation work and technology updates. She said the state consolidated Lake…