By Michael Banks

A new grant program is available for eligible public school systems in Ohio to deploy public safety radio systems, compatible with local law enforcement radio systems, for use in emergencies.

House Bill 59 authorized the Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC) to administer the School Security Grant Program, which is intended to address the specific needs of first responder communication and secured building access.

The School Security Grant Program authorizes the OSFC to reimburse public schools, including community schools, for school security expenditures including:

• Up to $2,000 for one emergency communications system or Multi-Agency Radio Communications System (MARCS) unit per eligible school building; and
• Up to $5,000 for costs incurred with a purchase of a security entrance system consisting of a security camera, an intercom and remote access equipment for one entrance per eligible school building.

Ohio MARCS is offering a state of the art radio which was created through collaboration with school officials, law enforcement, Motorola Solutions and the MARCS Program office. The new radio, called MARCS-In-Schools (MIS), can be placed in a designated area of the school building and will allow a school administrator or designee to immediately and silently notify their local law enforcement first responders if they need help.

Law enforcement agencies operating on the MARCS system will have full compatibility with the MIS unit. If your agency does not currently utilize MARCS, you may wish to equip your communications center with at least one MARCS radio.

In lieu of using a MARCS radio, schools can purchase a radio system compatible with the system or systems in use by law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction over the school territory. The school district will be responsible for the deployment of these radios.

Coordination between your communication center and the schools in your jurisdiction will be required to implement this new technology and minimize your response in an emergency.

This is a unique opportunity for local law enforcement and school districts to collaborate in creating a more efficient means of communication during an emergency. Be sure to spread the word to your chiefs and sheriffs so that they can discuss this with your local school districts and weigh the options in what solution will work best for your area.

The Ohio MARCS office will be giving a presentation about this program, including a Q&A session, during the Ohio APCO Chapter Business Meeting on November 6.

For more information please visit the following pages:

Ohio School Facilities Commission: http://www.osfc.ohio.gov/Home/SchoolSecurityGrantProgram.aspx

Ohio MARCS: http://das.ohio.gov/Divisions/InformationTechnology/MARCSServices.aspx#In-School

About the Author
Michael Banks, RPL, is a communications training officer with Wadsworth (Ohio) Police Department. He has worked in public safety telecommunications for 17 years as a telecommunicator, training officer, instructor and CAD system administrator. He entered the field after a few years as an EMT and continues to provide EMS part time. Contact him at [email protected].