Fire departments in Wood County have received more than $627,000 in grant funding to upgrade their radio
technology.
The Wood County Emergency Management Agency announced receipt of the Multi-Agency Radio Communications
Systems grant Thursday, which comes from the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s office.
Sixteen fire departments in Wood County will use the money to upgrade their VHF radio systems to the
“state of the art” Ohio MARCS system, a news release stated.
The Wood County Fire and EMS Chief’s Association voted in November to begin transitioning to the MARCS
system, which will increase firefighter safety and provide better service to the community, according to
the release.
The departments also applied for funding through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant through the Federal
Emergency Management Agency to help purchase new radios.
Overall, $3 million was awarded by the fire marshal’s office to 165 fire departments.
In Wood County, those receiving funding include:
•    Bloomdale, $1,680
•    Cygnet, $46,335.30
•    Grand Rapids, $44,130.30
•    Hoytville, $47,203.14
•    Milton Township, $48,832.80
•    North Baltimore, $6,480
•    Pemberville-Freedom, $40,000
•    Central Joint, $47,262.93
•    Risingsun, $22,797
•    Wayne, $43,380
•    West Millgrove, $46,072.80
•    Weston, $47,010.30
•    Center Township, $43,628.07
•    Middleton Township, $47,970.30
•    Troy Township, $47,730.30
•    Washington Township, $47,010.30