Specially Equipped Vehicles to Improve comm/response during emergencies

[The Straight Story]

This is in Ohio - anyone else seeing similar things in their states?


Emergency Management Agency
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Susan Raber, Ohio Department of Public Safety [phone]
C.J. Couch, Ohio Emergency Management Agency [phone]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 12, 2005
SPECIALLY-EQUIPPED VEHICLES TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION AND
RESPONSE CAPABILITIES DURING MAJOR EMERGENCIES IN OHIO

COLUMBUS – The Ohio Department of Public Safety today presented a vehicle equipped with the latest in
communication and crime-fighting technology to the Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office. First responders and law
enforcement officials, throughout a four county area in northeast Ohio, will use this vehicle in the event of a major
weather disaster, terrorist attack, hostage or hazmat situation and any other type of large-scale emergency.

Counties within this area include Mahoning, Stark, Carroll and Jefferson.
This vehicle, one of 11 vehicles stationed at strategic locations across Ohio, was paid for by federal homeland security
funding. Currently, first responders from different agencies have a hard time communicating with each other during emergencies because departments are on separate radio systems.

“The specially-equipped vehicles will vastly improve the ability of police, fire and other first responders to
communicate during a large-scale emergency,” said Ken Morckel, Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety.

“We will be able to provide immediate assistance and support to our first responders during those first critical hours
of a major incident. The Ohio Department of Public Safety is proud to be partnering with the Buckeye State Sheriffs’
Association in this effort that will greatly benefit first responders, law enforcement and ultimately the citizens of
Ohio.”

The ten other counties where vehicles will be stationed are Ross, Geauga, Hancock, Montgomery, Athens, Ashland,
Lucas, Mercer, Guernsey and Delaware.

The vehicles have communication gear compatible with all radio frequencies, cellular and land phones, weather
monitoring equipment and Internet access. Officials will be able to tape and store video feeds from TV cameras on
the roof. The vehicles will have space for a crime lab and will be able to send fingerprint and other evidence via the
Internet to national crime computers and police agencies. They also will have diesel generators for emergency power.

The Ohio Emergency Management Agency, a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety and the Buckeye
State Sheriffs’ Association are managing the program involving the communication vehicles. This program, along
with a data-sharing program being led by the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, comprises the Law Enforcement
Terrorism Prevention Program.

http://www.publicsafety.ohio.gov/news/2005/08_12_05_EMA.pdf
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