This spring, 2Hawk Vineyard & Winery gave out $10,080 in grants to Jackson County Fire District #5 and Applegate Valley Fire District #9 from its new 9-1-1 Fund.

The 9-1-1 Fund is an act of generosity that benefits the entire Jackson County community. It was a natural choice for 2Hawk Vineyard & Winery owners Jen and Ross Allen when they were looking for a way to show support of the community.

Captain/Paramedic Chuck Glose, Medford Fire-Rescue explains the genesis of the idea. “Ross contacted me about finding a local first responder charity that he and Jen could support, but there weren’t a lot of options,” Glose said. “That’s when the Allens decided to start something themselves.”

Ross’s 17-year background in law enforcement has given the Allens a deep appreciation for the men and women who often put themselves in peril to keep the rest of us safe. The new 9-1-1 Fund will support projects and equipment purchases for first responder agencies in Jackson County. 2Hawk donated more than 50 percent of the proceeds from the 9-1-1 wine’s first release. “We made a pallet of this wine—56 cases,” Jen said. “We had $10,080 to give away, and we will do it again next year, hopefully in larger numbers.”

The wine was released September 27th at a party in honor of National First Responders Day. It was attended by first responders, their friends and family to celebrate all they do to keep our citizens safe.

Working from three fire stations, Jackson County Fire District #5 covers approximately 25,000 residents over 115 square miles of southern Jackson County, including the cities of Phoenix and Talent, and the unincorporated areas around the City of Ashland. Their use of the funds to purchase backcountry and rope rescue equipment will provide enhanced technical rescue response locally and regionally for wildland firefighters and other backcountry rescues. According to Chief Charles Hanley, “This grant is a bounty to the district. Our regular funding takes care of the day-to-day expenses but doesn’t leave much to go toward these types of purchases. This equipment will not be funding a one-time purchase but a long-term investment in the future of this organization and the well-being of our members and customers.”

In addition, this equipment will benefit visitors to the area. As Hanley noted, “We have people up and down I-5 visiting—in the winter with snowmobiles and in the summer with ATVs. They sometimes get themselves in trouble not knowing the area, and we are making steep terrain rescues to get them out of the danger zone quickly.”

Working from seven fire stations, Applegate Valley Fire District #9 covers approximately 10,000 people and more than 181 square miles from Jacksonville to Grants Pass in the Applegate Valley. According to Fire Chief Mike McLaughlin, “We are excited to be able to invest in a helmet flashlight for each of our 40 firefighters. Currently, firefighters are only issued one flashlight that is a hand-held. Providing a helmet flashlight to each firefighter will allow them to have better lighting and both hands available to complete their tasks. The flashlights will be used during structure fires, motor vehicle accidents, and other calls that require additional lighting.”

“We are so happy to have the opportunity to help create a better, safer community,” Jen adds. “These districts cover a lot of ground and their requests were for equipment to help them do their jobs better and more safely. It helps us all.”

©Southern Oregon Wine Scene

Spring 2018 issue