Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has announced the formation of a new working group tasked with evaluating how emergency services are delivered in Ohio’s 76 state parks, especially in light of increased demand on local resources. The newly established Public Safety in Ohio State Parks Working Group will examine the systems in place and recommend solutions that balance public safety needs with the realities faced by local governments. “We certainly recognize that the popularity of Ohio’s state parks can result in more emergency calls and higher expenses for surrounding communities,” said Governor DeWine. “I’ve asked this working group to examine the demand for emergency services in our state parks and how that demand impacts local communities.”
The creation of the group comes after the Governor vetoed a budget provision that would have required the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) to reimburse local governments for emergency services provided at South Bass Island State Park—without providing additional funding to do so.
Leadership and Membership Reflect Statewide Expertise…