Area fire departments receive MARCS grant
Area fire departments receive MARCS grant
First round of funding announced
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Area fire departments have been announced as being in the first round of recipients of the 2021 MARCS (Multi-Agency Radio Communications Systems) grant. Seven of Meigs County’s fire departments are to receive funding. Across Ohio 242 fire departments in 46 counties will receive the grant.
The MARCS radio system allows first responders to seamlessly communicate, not only with each other, but with other agencies responding to an incident (i.e. fire departments from neighboring areas, law enforcement, etc.).
In Meigs County fire departments for the MARCS grant according to the Ohio State Fire Marshal:
- Middleport – $120
- Pomeroy – $1,080
- Racine – $720
- Olive Township – $960
- Tuppers Plains – $1,080
- Scipio Township – $840
- Columbia Township – $600
“Having first responders on this state-of-the-art radio system goes a long way in improving emergency services in these counties, which greatly improves the level of safety for them and the communities they protect, said Fire Marshal Reardon. “I’m honored to continue this great legacy of supporting Ohio’s responders.”
MARCS ratios are sophisticated systems, and the cost can be significant. In order to make more radios possible for local fire departments, the State Fire Marshal’s office had begun decreasing the amount of user fees awarded. This year, the State Fire Marshal received more than $9 million in requests for the $3 million in total available funding.
“This is a highly competitive process that requires us to make some tough choices in order to enhance the system,” said Reardon. “The emphasis of this grant has always been to grow the MARCS program, and out ultimate goal is to one day have every department in Ohio on this system.”
This is the sixth year the State Fire Marshal’s office has offered this grant. The second round of recipients will be announced in late January.
