Ohio Department of Public Safety

The meeting commenced with the welcome of members, attendees, and guests, followed by the approval of the minutes from the April 17, 2025 session. Key project proposals were reviewed and approved, including one aimed at Improving Accuracy of Ohio Crash Report Child Restraint System Documentation, which seeks to reduce unverified and inaccurate CRS reporting through improved data collection and training. Another approved proposal focused on funding Electronic Citation Equipment for law enforcement agencies to support the transition to electronic reporting. Core area updates covered Crash data, noting comparisons to previous years and detailing ongoing work related to ECS migration and data quality via the OH-1 form. The Vehicle/Driver section provided updates on the REAL ID Act implementation, warnings about BMV texting scams, details on BMV Express Kiosks, the Reinstatement Fee Amnesty Program, and the availability of free ID cards and online services. Roadway updates detailed progress on TRCC funded projects like the No Passing Zone Project and MIRE Roadway Segment Data Collection. EMS updates provided current transporting agency counts and noted the upcoming switch to NEMSIS Critical Patch 5. Citation/Adjudication focused on the Court Interfaces for Electronic Filing project status. The Open Forum included a discussion regarding issues with private law enforcement agencies submitting crash data and fee disputes related to photo enforcement tickets.

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.