State Fire Marshal announces recipients of 2024 MARCS Grant
More than 300 fire departments across the state of Ohio will soon receive funding to upgrade their radio communications systems.
The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal has announced that 307 fire departments in 75 of the state’s 88 counties have been selected to receive the 2024 MARCS (Multi-Agency Radio Communications Systems) Grant to better protect Ohio’s communities. The $4 million awarded this year in grant funding reflects an increase of $500,000, which was a key recommendation included in Gov. Mike DeWine’s recent Volunteer Firefighter Task Force Report.
Local recipients include:
• Highland County — Brushcreek Township Fire Department; and Highland County North Joint Fire District.
• Adams County — Peebles Fire Department; Scott Township Fire & EMS; and West Union Fire Department and Life Squad.
• Brown County — Eastern Joint Fire and EMS District; Higginsport Volunteer Fire & EMS; Mt. Orab Fire Department; and Russellville Fire Department.
• Clinton County — Blanchester-Marion Township Fire Department; and Chester Township Volunteer Fire Department.
• Fayette County — Concord-Green Township Fire Department; Washington Court House Fire/Rescue Department; and Wayne Township Volunteer Fire and Rescue.
• Pike County — Benton Township Fire Department; Piketon Seal Township Fire Department; and Waverly Fire Department.
• Ross County — Bainbridge Volunteer Fire Department; Harrison Township Fire Department; and Huntington Township Fire Department.
The complete list of fire departments receiving MARCS Grants funding is available on the State Fire Marshal’s website at https://com.ohio.gov/static/documents/sfm_MARCS-2024-Awards.pdf.
More than half of the grant funds (55 percent) 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.”
The MARCS radio system allows first responders to seamlessly communicate with each other as well as other agencies as they respond to an incident. MARCS radio system technology is advanced and the costs to acquire and operate this equipment can be significant.
“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 MARCS system provides statewide, secure, reliable public service wireless communication for first responders. There are currently more than 120,000 voice units and more than 1,800 mobile data units on the MARCS system, with more than 2,800 local, state and federal agencies statewide.