Pictured left to right are: Edward Bohn, Paulding County EMA Director; Russ Decker, Ohio EMA Deputy Director; Mark Holtsberry, Paulding, County Commissioner and Tammy Freehan, Northwest Ohio Supervisor for OEMA.
Ohio Emergency Management Agency, a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, continues to support county emergency management activities by forward-deploying a mobile generator in partnership with Paulding County Emergency Management.
“Placing these trailers strategically around the state instead of in Columbus speeds deployment of these much-needed resources when necessary,” said Russ Decker, Ohio EMA deputy director in a ceremony Wednesday. “We thank Director Edward Bohn and Paulding County for their assistance in this project.” This is one of eight in the state that is regionally place for quicker access, when time matters. The 7,000-pound unit is a self-contained 58KW generator complete with a 128-gallon fuel tank. The 15-foot, dual-axle trailer can be towed with by a vehicle to any given location.
“We’re pleased to partner with Ohio EMA and house this generator here in Paulding County,” said, Paulding County EMA Director Bohn. “This will be a regional asset that strengthens emergency response not just in Paulding County, but all of northwest Ohio.” As so many counties, encounter with severe weather, power poles and lines come down, effect a few or many. Examples of that, has occurred in Paulding County. Last May, with straight line winds, 107 power poles knocked power out to four communities for three and half days and who will forget the Derecho in 2012. That weather event knocked out power to not only to parts of Paulding County but a good portion of the state of Ohio for several days.
The collaboration and partnership with the state and counties, benefits the citizens, in the state, region and at the local level. “We hope to continue to work with county emergency management agencies in deploying equipment such as this generator, as well as services, with the regional field offices throughout the state of Ohio”, deputy director Decker stated.
