Lancaster, OH – Fairfield County has been awarded a grant from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to host an APCO Disaster Operations and Communications Center Course, a program designed to enhance emergency response readiness for local telecommunicators.
According to the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office, the specialized training helps dispatchers and emergency communicators handle disaster situations more effectively. Personnel from the Sheriff’s Office, Lancaster Police Department, and Pickerington Police Department participated in the multi-day course, which was recently completed.
The grant, facilitated through PUCO, supports public safety improvements across Ohio. A special acknowledgment was given to Garrett Blevins, Deputy Director of Fairfield County Emergency Management Agency, for assisting with the grant process. The training was led by instructor Carlton Carter, accompanied by his service dog, Captain, who quickly became a favorite among attendees.
The course aims to strengthen coordination between agencies during emergencies, ensuring faster, clearer communication during severe weather, large-scale incidents, or infrastructure failures.
Fairfield County officials say this investment in local 911 operators and dispatchers will directly improve public safety response and interagency cooperation across the region.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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