When the Government Accountability Office determined that Secure Rural School (SRS) payments could only be spent on search and rescue operations, CFM went to work on behalf of Marion County, which was impacted by the ruling. Marion County and other rural counties were left in precarious position as they were forced to lay off sheriff deputies, reduce patrols on federal forest land and use outmoded equipment. Collaborating with the Oregon congressional district, CFM was able to push through a fix that allowed rural counties to spend SRS funds on public safety to prepare for and prevent the need for search and rescue efforts.
