8 Valley fire departments awarded state grants to improve communication systems

Eight fire departments in the Mahoning Valley have been awarded more than $170,000 in grant funding to improve their communication systems.

Gov. Mike DeWine announced the recipients of the Multi-Agency Radio Communications Systems grants Tuesday. A total of $3.5 million was awarded to 212 fire departments in 57 counties throughout the state.

“This is a highly competitive selection process, so our emphasis has been on growing the MARCS program with the goal that one day every department in Ohio is on this communication system,” state Fire Marshal Kevin S. Reardon said in a news release. “Having first responders with these state-of-the-art radios improves emergency services for these counties, which increases the level of safety for the communities they protect.”

Here are the Valley departments that were awarded a MARCS grant:

MAHONING COUNTY

• Berlin Township Fire Department, $38,441.

TRUMBULL COUNTY

• Howland Township Fire Department, $3,000;
• Johnston Volunteer Fire Department, $17,739;
• Kinsman Volunteer Fire Department, $29,869;
• Mecca Volunteer Fire Department, $41,347;
• Newton Falls Joint Fire District, $12,000;
• Orangeville Volunteer Fire Department, $11,825;
• Southington Volunteer Fire Department, $19,338.

The MARCS system provides statewide secure and reliable public service wireless communication for first responders. It allows first responders to communicate not only with each other, but with other agencies responding to an incident, the release states.

“This grant will help our first responders save lives and be more effective in responding to everyday operations and emergency situations across the state,” DeWine said in the release.