05/27/2026
Initiative Overview
Operation Safe Summer is a community-driven wildfire preparedness and extreme heat response initiative developed by Central Oregon Veterans Outreach (COVO) to support vulnerable individuals living outdoors throughout Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook Counties.
As wildfire seasons continue growing longer, hotter, and more dangerous across Central Oregon, many members of our community are surviving outdoors with little to no access to preparedness supplies, smoke protection, cooling resources, or emergency support.
This initiative exists to help bridge that gap through practical outreach, community partnerships, and prevention-focused preparedness.
Why This Matters
Wildfire season in Central Oregon is no longer a distant concern — it is a growing public health and community safety issue impacting all of us.
COVO outreach teams regularly provide meals, water, wellness checks, survival supplies, and crisis support throughout remote camps and underserved areas across the region. Outreach workers are seeing firsthand the increasing number of medically vulnerable individuals living outdoors during dangerous smoke and heat conditions.
Many individuals living in camps are disabled, seniors, children, veterans, medically vulnerable, dependent on oxygen or medical equipment, living with mobility limitations or amputations, or unable to quickly and safely evacuate during wildfire emergencies.
At the same time, camp areas are shrinking while outdoor populations continue growing.
As COVO Outreach Program Manager Frank Strupith recently shared:
“Handed out 160 lunches in Dirt World, could have done another 25. More and more folks out there now.”
Our Goal: 250 Preparedness Kits
Operation Safe Summer aims to assemble and distribute 250 wildfire preparedness and heat safety kits in honor of America’s 250th birthday in 2026.
These kits will be distributed directly through COVO outreach teams serving vulnerable individuals throughout Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook Counties.
Every item included is chosen with purpose.
What’s Included in the Kits
• Reusable water bottle
• Electrolyte packets
• N95 smoke masks
• Cooling towel
• SPF sunscreen
• Lip balm
• First aid supplies
• Emergency blanket
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Mini multi-tool
• Socks and gloves
• Hygiene supplies
• Shelf-stable snacks
• Wildfire safety information
• Local resource cards
“No fluff. Every item should serve a purpose.”
How the Community Can Help
Operation Safe Summer is designed to be community-supported, donation-driven, and locally powered.
We are currently seeking:
• Supply donations
• Business sponsors
• Community partners
• Volunteer support
• Donation barrel locations *Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson Counties*
• Social media and outreach partners
Community drop sites and donation barrels will be placed throughout Central Oregon to encourage widespread community participation.
Most Needed Items
• Reusable water bottles
• Electrolyte packets
• N95 masks
• Cooling towels
• Sunscreen
• Lip balm
• First aid supplies
• Flashlights
• Hygiene supplies
• Durable backpacks
• Socks and gloves
Financial donations and business sponsorships also help support bulk supply purchases and regional outreach efforts.
About COVO
For years, Central Oregon Veterans Outreach (COVO) has worked directly with vulnerable veterans and community members throughout Central Oregon by providing outreach, housing support, resource navigation, wellness checks, survival supplies, and crisis intervention services.
Our outreach teams meet people where they are — including remote camps, outdoor locations, and underserved areas where access to support is often limited.
Operation Safe Summer expands this existing outreach work through a regional preparedness effort centered on compassion, prevention, and community stewardship.
This Is About All of Us
From Central Oregon to the Pacific Northwest, wildfire season affects every member of our community.
We all breathe the smoke.
We all share this land.
We all have a role in protecting one another.
Operation Safe Summer is an opportunity for Central Oregon to come together through preparedness, compassion, and community action.
Together, we can help protect vulnerable neighbors during wildfire and extreme heat season.
Contact & Community Partnerships
Central Oregon Veterans Outreach (COVO)
www.covo-us.org
541-383-2793
Bend, Oregon
To donate supplies, sponsor kits, host a donation barrel, or become a community partner, please contact COVO directly.
Learn more. Get involved. Make a difference.
To donate to COVO, click here: https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E197661&id=1
