Area fire departments receive radio grants
COLUMBUS Several area fire departments will receive grants to upgrade their radio communications systems.
Statewide, 373 fire departments in 65 counties will receive the 2021 Multi-Agency Radio Communications Systems grants.
The MARCS radio system allows first responders to communicate not only with each other but other agencies including fire or law enforcement agencies.
The State Fire Marshal’s office received more than $9 million in requests for the $3 million in available funding.
Here’s how area counties fared:
In Allen County, the Beaverdam-Richland Fire Department, the Harrod Volunteer Fire Department and the American Township Fire Department each received $5,000.
Just ask Jay Epley, Ada-Liberty Township fire chief, about it. He says it’s a unique vehicle.
Thanks to the passage of a 1-mill fire levy on the November 2018 local ballot, the local department will be able to retire its 1990 Big Mack Attack pumper.
It’s replacement is a $700,000, 2,500 gallon pumper-tanker, fully computerized. Epley and two other members of the department, Brent Dirmeyer and Andy Badertscher will be on their way to Nebraska on Sunday where the truck is ready for pick up.
“We’ll drive it back to Ada,” said Epley. “It’s top speed is 55 miles per hour, so it could be a 16-to-18 hour trip.”