Dear Friends and Neighbors,
We are counting down the last days of the 2023 Legislative Session that must adjourn no later than midnight on Sunday, June 25th.
I am grateful to have heard from many of you about the work the legislature has been undertaking this session. We have spent many long days in the Capitol and one thing legislators can all agree on is that we are ready to go home to our districts to welcome a much slower and less exhaustive pace during the interim.
This brief newsletter provides some very important information released last week to update you on Oregon DMV’s data breach, what you can do to protect yourself, and more.
Please stay tuned for a more in-depth session recap in the weeks to follow.
Sincerely,
 Rick Lewis
State Representative
House District 18
Oregon’s Christmas Tree District
In this issue:
Read previous newsletters here.
Late last week, legislators and the media were notified of a major data breach involving Oregon DMV.
As part of a global technology hack that affected many organizations across the world who use the MOVEit transfer software tool, ODOT-DMV was victim of a malicious attack that enabled unauthorized access to files transferred between DMV and other partner agencies.This hack affected more than 2,000 organizations worldwide and included nearly 3,000 ODOT files. During this broad-based attack some DMV data was copied and taken while DMV was sending it through that software.
According to DMV, hackers could have access to first and last names, driver’s license or identification card numbers, dates of birth, physical addresses, and the last four digits of social security numbers. Personal information like this could be used to steal your identity and open accounts in your name and more.
Individuals who have an active credential (license, permit, ID card) should assume information related to that credential is part of the breach.
Oregonians are urged to take proactive steps to protect their credit and identity by:
- Regularly check their credit and consider freezing their credit
- Order copies of your free credit reports and review them for inaccuracies.
Additional questions can be directed to AskODOT@odot.oregon.gov
More information can be found at: Oregon DOJ Consumer Protection Office Urges Oregonians To Be Proactive In Wake Of DMV Data Breach - Oregon Department of Justice : Media (state.or.us)
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Over the past several weeks we have had the opportunity to honor and remember those who have lost their lives in service to our country and state.
I had the privilege to attend the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs Memorial Day event at the Oregon World War II Memorial on the Oregon State Capitol grounds in Salem. I am grateful to those who attended and for the remarks from ODVA’s Deputy Director Nakeia Council Daniels, veteran leaders, and state dignitaries. The ceremony included the color guard, performance of the National Anthem, the laying of a wreath followed by the playing of taps. It was a beautiful sunny Oregon day as captured in the photos to the right.
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On May 2nd, the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) hosted the 2023 Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony. The State of Oregon remembered and honored 193 fallen law enforcement officers, and the families they left behind, during this annual ceremony. The event took place outdoors, at the state memorial which is located at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem.
The name of one fallen Oregon law enforcement officer was added to the state memorial and honored at this year's ceremony; Brian J. Gaunt of the Beaverton Police Department, EOW 10/24/21. Sergeant Gaunt died as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. Sergeant Gaunt was a United States Coast Guard veteran who served 21 years with the Beaverton Police Department and had been assigned as a patrol officer, detective, and canine handler. He is survived by his wife and three children.
The Oregon Fallen Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial Ceremony is a significant event that the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) is proud to host each year in partnership with the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, Oregon Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation, and Oregon's various statewide law enforcement associations.
The memorial honors fallen Oregon law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty since the 1860s. This includes officers from city, county, state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies who have served as law enforcement officers, corrections officers, and parole and probation officers.
The Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Fund-raised funds to build the state memorial more than 20 years ago. For more information on the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Fund and the statewide license plate that is available to honor fallen law enforcement officers and firefighters please visit: https://www.oregon.gov/dpsst/BD/MFB/Pages/Oregon-Law-Enforcement-Memorial-Trust-Fund.aspx. It was my honor to have chaired the memorial fund board in the early years of this worthy endeavor.
For more information on the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial please visit: https://www.oregon.gov/dpsst/Memorials/LawEnforcement/Pages/default.aspx
Every June, the Oregon Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial Ceremony recognizes all of the Oregon Fire Fighters who have died in the Line-of-Duty. The memorial also took place at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training in Salem.
Sadly, two Oregon Firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2022 were added to the state memorial this year.
Firefighter Austin Garrett Smith, age 30 of the St. Paul Fire District responded to a three-alarm barn fire on 2/3/22. While firefighters worked to put out the fire, an explosion occurred, critically injuring Firefighter Austin Smith. He was immediately flown to the Oregon Health and Science University Hospital in Portland, OR, where he died.
Firefighter Logan Taylor, age 25, of the Sasquatch Reforestation, died on 8/18/22, after being struck by a tree fighting the Rum Creek Fire in Josephine County, OR. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (SAR) immediately deployed helicopter and personnel to the fire and airlifted Firefighter Taylor out of the mountainous terrain to an awaiting Mercy Flights helicopter. He was transported to Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford, OR, where he died.
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We have entered the season for Farmers Markets. Shopping at a farmers’ market is a great way to find the freshest food for your family, while supporting our local farmers and small businesses. One program that helps make farmers markets affordable and accessible for all is Double Up Food Bucks. This program matches SNAP benefits, dollar for dollar, for the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables. Double Up is also available at participating small grocers, farm stands, and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs. Check the map here for locations that participate in our district.
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A friendly 4th of July message from the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) reminding Oregonians to “Keep it Legal and Keep it Safe”
Read more about fireworks safety, find links and information related to wildfire season webinars, and OSFM career opportunities in the The Gated Wye June 2023 issue here.
The Oregon State Fire Marshall has also launched a one-stop shop website to education Oregonians about defensible space as announced in their June 20th Press Release as follows:
SALEM, Ore. - To better prepare Oregonians for wildfire and give them resources to help create defensible space, the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) has launched a new defensible space educational tool. The Oregon Defensible Space Program offers Oregon-specific wildfire preparedness best practices, resources for download, and an in-person defensible space property assessment request portal. Creating defensible space is something everyone can do to reduce the wildfire risk to their home or business from wildfire. This website provides a one-stop shop for Oregonians with information and other resources they need to protect their homes and neighborhoods.
Whether people want to connect with local programs, gain insight into maintaining defensible space, or begin a defensible space plan, Oregonians can find resources on Oregon Defensible Space (https://oregondefensiblespace.org/). Defensible space can prevent ember ignition of your home and stop wildfire flames from reaching your home. Defensible space also creates a safer space for firefighters to work while battling a wildfire and protecting your home. Remember to keep your defensible space well-maintained, dry grass cut low, and your roof clear of leaves or needles.
To support Oregonians with tailored recommendations, visit this new website to request a defensible space assessment of your home. These free one-on-one property walkthroughs will provide homeowners/renters with voluntary recommendations to create improvements and follow best practices for their homes. When you request an assessment, a member of your local fire agency or a deputy state fire marshal from the OSFM will schedule a time to assess your property and recommend defensible space action items.
"We invite each person in Oregon to help reduce their risk from wildfire by creating defensible space," Assistant Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Chad Hawkins said. "You are the state's greatest resource in protecting homes, neighborhoods, and firefighters."
The OSFM's defensible space program was created in 2021 through Senate Bill 762, Oregon's wildfire omnibus bill. The law instituted wildfire prevention, community risk reduction, and proactive emergency response tools for the OSFM. Preparing homes and communities for wildfire impact creates resiliency and fire adapted communities. A fire adapted community acknowledges its wildfire risk and takes action to improve safety for homes, neighborhoods, businesses and infrastructure, forests, parks, and open spaces.
To explore the Oregon Defensible Space Program and learn how to prepare your home and property, visit https://oregondefensiblespace.org.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1418
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-385, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.RickLewis@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/lewis
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