Communications Branch
Dave Ford, Branch Chief
(614) 889-7154

The Communications Branch plays a large role in the development, deployment and maintenance of the communications and warning systems necessary to coordinate the disaster response needs of the state. It also develops and coordinates state and local warning and communications plans, to include the statewide Emergency Alert System and Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services. The branch also provides and maintains communications and warning systems in the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC), county EOCs, other state agencies, field units, and field command centers.

The Communications Branch installs and maintains the State of Ohio Rain/Snow Monitoring System (STORMS) program, which provides real time precipitation data to the National Weather Service and to local governments for flood forecasting. The STORMS system has 416 precipitation and 75 river stage gauges reporting into the system. These gauges are located in 65 Ohio counties.

EMA technicians maintain 17 of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio (NWR) warning system transmitters around the state. The NWR system has the capability to reach 97 percent of the population. The system consists of 19 in-state transmitter sites and seven out-of-state sites which provide coverage to Ohio. Additional information on how you receive vital weather information from the NWR system can found at www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr.

Ohio EMA's communication resources include the Multi-Agency Communications System (MARCS). MARCS is a statewide 800 MHz trunked voice and data radio system incorporating state agency and non-state agency users. The system is currently deployed to all of the county emergency management agencies and four National Weather Service offices, providing the largest interoperable voice communication network in the state. The Communications Branch also maintains a separate emergency VHF voice network which consists of 26 county EMAs.

The Communications Branch currently provides technical support for the 11 Buckeye State Sheriffs' Association Interoperability vehicles.

Unit 1 Ross County
Unit 2 Geauga County
Unit 3 Hancock County
Unit 4 Columbiana County
Unit 5 Montgomery County
Unit 6 Athens County
Unit 7 Ashland County
Unit 8 Lucas County
Unit 9 Mercer County
Unit 10 Guernsey County
Unit 11 Franklin County

Overall, the branch is responsible for the statewide coordination of emergency communications during times of disaster and is responsible for the development and maintenance of warning and communication devices at 459 sites throughout the state and at the State of Ohio Emergency Operations Center.

Additional Resources:
U.S. Homeland Security
Ohio Homeland Security
Ohio Homeland Security - Office of Domestic Preparedness
Ohio Homeland Security Grants Information Sharing System