Recent activity at Ohio Department of Public Safety
Meetings, budgets, and plans from this organization.
Mar 24, 2026·Board meeting
Task Force Meeting
The meeting focused on finalizing recommendations regarding public safety in state parks and lands, with particular attention to the unique challenges faced by island communities experiencing high volumes of tourists. Key discussion topics included the potential for state reimbursement to local communities for safety service expenses incurred on state park land, the implementation of drone programs for emergency response, and strategies to improve the collection and compliance of lodging taxes. The group debated the necessity of parity in lodging tax collections for short-term rentals and explored the feasibility of issuing annual reports on county-level tax collection efficiency to encourage compliance.
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The session reviewed the status and goals of the working group focused on public safety in Ohio State Parks. Key discussion points included reviewing the eight established goals, such as understanding the scope and impact of emergency response issues, assessing current capabilities and funding, studying best practices, and addressing emergency communications weaknesses. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a presentation on the evolution of Drone First Responder (DFR) technology, specifically regarding drones manufactured by Flock Safety, and how they can improve situational awareness, reduce response times, and support resource-constrained agencies in remote park locations. Participants discussed current drone usage for search and rescue operations and the technical advantages of newer drone models offering extended range and advanced camera capabilities.
Jan 13, 2026·Strategic plan
Strategic Plan
This document outlines a tiered grant system designed to bridge the gap between state resources and local capabilities. It proposes a Tier 1 'Park Resource Officer (PRO)' program with phased state funding, a Tier 2 'Seasonal Surge & Peak-Load' mechanism for high-traffic tourism at Ohio state parks by funding overtime, and a Tier 3 'Regional Assets' component for specialized equipment. The plan requests $20 million for a two-year pilot phase followed by a three-year strategic extension.
Dec 16, 2025·Strategic plan
Hocking Hills Tourism Association Grant Program
The Hocking Hills Tourism Impact Emergency Services (TIES) Grant Program was established to address concerns regarding the impact of tourism on local emergency services in Hocking County. Its vision is to ensure the county remains a safe and welcoming destination by equipping emergency services to respond effectively to tourism demands, thereby protecting both residents and visitors. The program's mission is to enhance public safety by funding local emergency response agencies impacted by tourism-related activities. Grant applications are evaluated based on demonstrated tourism impact, urgency of need, feasibility of solutions, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. The first round of grants is expected to provide approximately $300,000 for equipment and training.
