Three Meigs County fire departments receive 2024 MARCS Grant funding

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Three Meigs County Fire Departments were among the more than 300 departments across the state to soon receive funding to upgrade their radio communications systems.

According to the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal, 75 or Ohio’s 88 counties have departments receiving funding. The funding totals $4 million for the 2024 MARCS (Multi-Agency Radio Communications Systems) Grant. The purpose of the funding is to make it easier for agencies to better communicate with one another leading to better protection for Ohioians.

Meigs County departments receiving funding this year are Columbia Township Fire Department, Scipio Township Fire Department, and Tuppers Plains Fire Department. As with all of Meigs County’s fire departments, they are all volunteer.

More than half of the grant funds (55%) were awarded to volunteer fire departments, and 73 departments are first-time MARCS Grant recipients. This funding cycle, the State Fire Marshal received more than $10 million in requests for the $4 million in total funding available.

“Effective communication is key to protecting both the public as well as first responders in emergency situations. Because of this, it is critically important that Ohio’s firefighters have access to the best technology available,” State Fire Marshal Kevin S. Reardon said. “We’re extremely proud to support first responders across the state by helping to equip hundreds of departments with this substantial investment in MARCS radios technology.”

“This grant initiative underscores Ohio’s steadfast commitment to supporting the evolving needs of fire departments, particularly our state’s smaller and volunteer-based agencies upon which our communities rely each and every day to keep them safe,” Reardon said.

The complete list of fire departments receiving MARCS Grants funding is available on the State Fire Marshal’s website here.