Justin W. Cromer

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.

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.

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.

The meeting included core area updates such as crash data analysis, vehicle and driver information, roadway updates, EMS and injury surveillance, and citation/adjudication data use and integration. Discussions covered topics such as ECS percentage increases, agencies submitting paper crash reports, data quality improvements, and duplicate crash removal. The extension of the REAL ID card deadline, updates on BMV Express Self-Service Kiosks, and the Driver's License Reinstatement Fee Debt Reduction and Amnesty Program were also addressed. Additionally, there were updates on TRCC funded projects, the SHSP, highway safety programs, and the National Safety Council's Ohio Employer Traffic Safety Programs.

The meeting included core area updates such as crash data, vehicle and driver information, roadway updates, EMS and injury surveillance, and citation/adjudication data use and integration. Discussions covered topics such as the Real ID card deadline extension, BMV online services, driver's license reinstatement fee amnesty program, free Ohio Identification cards, and the Ohio Title Portal. Updates were provided on TRCC-funded projects, the SHSP, and highway safety programs. The committee also discussed HB 42, the 2025 Ohio Traffic Safety Summit, CODES, traffic crash report data integrity, and a fatal crash and injury database. An open forum addressed the possibility of a simplified crash report or portal for public submission.