Holmes county fire departments

[eng64]

Region 5: Major Darryl Anderson gave the Region 5 report. Meeting was held on January 15th , 2020 at the Stark County Sheriff’s Office Training Room at 10 AM. Region 5 Fire Departments were granted the Ohio Fire Marshal Grant in Richland, Holmes, and Medina County. Covered several other items. Next meeting is in July at the Ashland County Sheriff Office.


Since Holmes county fire departments have got a State of Ohio fire marshals MARCS grant does any body know the time line for them to switch from their current radio system.

 

[wa8pyr]

Could be anything from six months to a year. They can't place orders until they officially receive the grant; then they have to get on board as MARCS customers and get a talkgroup plan set up, order the radios and wait for them to arrive, then get them programmed to suit each agency, and get a migration plan in place for moving their operations to MARCS from the current radio system.

I'd bet on closer to a year, or even more, especially if additional towers have to be added. And if the amount of the grant is only enough to buy just the bare minimum of radios, it could take even longer while they try to scrounge up enough radios to outfit everybody.

It would also be a good idea for the volunteer fire departments to plan on more pancake breakfasts and fish frys; those MARCS user fees will eat them up, especially when the fees are eventually raised.

 

[eng64]

The Fire Marshals office has MARCS grants available for user fee's.

 

[wa8pyr]

The Fire Marshals office has MARCS grants available for user fee's.

Yes, for the first year of user fees, after that it's on the individual agency. Highly unlikely they would be able to get a grant solely for user fees on a continuing basis.