Adams County Emergency Management Agency

09/01/2026

🚨 New Rural EMS & Dispatch Modernization Grant Opportunity 🚨

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has released a new funding opportunity through Ohio’s Rural Health Transformation Program that may be of significant interest to fire and EMS departments across the state.

The Rural EMS and Dispatch Modernization Grant Program will provide funding to improve EMS delivery, public safety communications, and emergency dispatch capabilities in rural communities. ODH anticipates awarding up to 100 grants, with as much as $12 million available annually through the program.

Eligible applicants include stand-alone EMS agencies, combined Fire/EMS agencies, and emergency dispatch centers or Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) serving rural areas within the program's 73 counties of focus.

Funding may be used for a variety of projects, including:

🚑 Emergency communications: NG911 implementation/upgrades, radio system improvements, interoperable communications equipment, CAD enhancements and dispatch technology modernization.
🚑 EMS technology: electronic patient care reporting systems, mobile data terminals, hardware/software replacement, EMS communications equipment and data/reporting systems.
🚑 Training and workforce development: dispatch training, communications officer professional development, and continuing education related to Community Paramedicine and Treat & Defer.
🚑 Innovative service delivery: development of Community Paramedicine, Treat & Defer and Mobile Integrated Healthcare initiatives.
Important Dates

➡ Bidders Conference: September 8, 2026, 1:00–2:00 p.m.
➡ Deadline for Questions: September 29, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.
➡ Deadline: October 6, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.
➡ Anticipated Project Period: October 29, 2026–June 30, 2027, with a potential one-year renewal.

We encourage OFCA members serving eligible rural communities to review the linked solicitation carefully and consider whether this funding could support planned EMS, communications, dispatch, technology, or Community Paramedicine initiatives within your department or region.

GRANT INFORMATION: https://odh.ohio.gov/about-us/funding-opportunities/sfy-27/doh62030-rfp

09/01/2026

A Heat Advisory is in effect through 8 PM EDT Thursday.

🌡️ WHAT: Heat index values up to 104°F are expected.

⏰ WHEN: 2 PM this afternoon through 8 PM EDT Thursday.

☀️ IMPACTS: Hot temperatures combined with high humidity may cause heat-related illnesses.

STAY SAFE IN THE HEAT:
💧 Drink plenty of fluids and stay hydrated.
❄️ Spend time in air-conditioned areas when possible.
☀️ Limit time in direct sunlight.
👕 Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.
🕐 Limit strenuous outdoor activities to the early morning or evening.
👥 Check on relatives, neighbors, older adults, and others who may be vulnerable to extreme heat.
🚨 Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and take action immediately if symptoms develop.

Source: National Weather Service Wilmington, Ohio
Courtesy: Adams County Emergency Management Agency

08/20/2026

Adams County EMA/LEPC meeting tonight at 7 pm at the EMA office, 33 Logan’s Lane, West Union. We will also be conducting our County Mitigation Plan update kickoff meeting. Hope to see you there.

08/18/2026

It has now been one week since the August 11 severe storms impacted Adams County.

While the storms have passed, cleanup and recovery efforts continue throughout our community.

In the immediate aftermath of the storms, more than 100 storm-related calls for service were reported across Adams County, including trees down, wires down, roadway obstructions, structural damage, and other storm-related incidents.

Since the storm, Adams County Emergency Management Agency has also conducted more than 10 reported structural damage assessments to document the extent and severity of damage to homes, businesses, and other structures throughout the county.

These assessments are an important part of the recovery process and help provide local and state officials with a clearer picture of the overall impact of the storm.

STORM CLEANUP ASSISTANCE IS STILL AVAILABLE

If you still have storm-related cleanup needs, we encourage you to contact the Ohio Severe Weather August 2026 Cleanup Hotline, coordinated through Crisis Cleanup.

📞 740-207-2397

The hotline can connect residents with volunteer organizations that may be able to assist with:

🌳 Trees
🧹 Debris removal
🏠 Tarping
🪣 Muck-out and cleanup

All services are free; however, assistance is not guaranteed and is dependent upon volunteer availability and the level of need.

IMPORTANT HOTLINE UPDATE

We are aware that, due to the large volume of calls, some callers may have experienced difficulty getting through to the cleanup hotline.

The system is working and is awaiting your call.

If you previously attempted to call and were unable to get through, please try again at 740-207-2397.

Registering your cleanup needs through the hotline helps volunteer organizations identify where assistance is needed and coordinate available resources.

The hotline is currently scheduled to remain open through Friday, August 28, 2026.

—-ONE WEEK OF RESPONSE & RECOVERY——

Over the past week, Adams County EMA has continued to:

• Conduct and coordinate damage assessments throughout Adams County
• Document residential, business, and infrastructure damage
• Collect and map storm-related reports
• Coordinate information with local, state, and federal partners
• Identify residents with storm-related cleanup needs
• Coordinate with volunteer and relief organizations
• Provide recovery information and resources to the public

The storm may have lasted only a short time, but recovery takes time.

We want to thank our 911 dispatchers, firefighters, EMS personnel, law enforcement officers, highway and township crews, utility workers, local officials, volunteer organizations, community partners, businesses, and residents who responded, worked through the cleanup, reported damage, and helped their neighbors.

For those who are still cleaning up and recovering, we have not forgotten about you.

Adams County EMA will continue working with our community and our partners as recovery efforts move forward.

08/15/2026

🚨 OHIO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT RECOGNITION DAY 🚨

Today, August 15, is Ohio Emergency Management Recognition Day.

We would like to recognize Adams County EMA Director Karen Howelett, Deputy Director Tom Peterson, and our EMA Board for their leadership, dedication, and continued commitment to keeping Adams County prepared.

This year’s message, “Know Us Before You Need Us,” is an opportunity for our community to learn more about who we are, what we do, and why emergency management matters to Adams County.

Much of emergency management happens behind the scenes. Your Adams County EMA works year-round on emergency planning and preparedness, severe weather monitoring, public information, training and exercises, hazard mitigation, flood and hazardous materials planning, resource coordination, and supporting our first responders and community partners.

Following the recent storms, your County EMA has also been conducting storm damage assessments across Adams County—documenting damage, identifying community needs, coordinating resources, and helping support the recovery process.

Our job is to help bring people, agencies, resources, and information together before, during, and after an emergency.

Today, we thank Director Howelett, Deputy Director Peterson, our EMA Board, and all of our partners who work together to keep Adams County prepared and resilient.

Know Us Before You Need Us.

08/13/2026

Anyone in Adams County needing assistance with cleanup from the August 11, 2026 storms please call this hotline number direct for assistance. This is a free service from these amazing volunteers from Support Rescue 101!!!!

08/13/2026

FLOOD WATCH EXTENDED

The Flood Watch for Adams County, Ohio has been extended until 11:00 AM Friday, August 14, 2026.

Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. Area creeks and streams are already running high, and additional heavy rainfall could result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying or flood-prone locations.

⛈️ Periods of thunderstorms are possible Thursday evening through the overnight hours, which could lead to additional flooding.

⚠️ Residents should remain weather aware and be prepared to take immediate action if heavy rainfall or flooding develops.

• Avoid low-lying and flood-prone areas.
• Use caution around highway dips and underpasses.
• Have multiple ways to receive weather warnings.
• Never drive through flooded roadways.
• If a Flash Flood Warning is issued, be prepared to move to higher ground immediately.

Turn Around, Don’t Drown®

08/12/2026

08/11/2026

Adams County continues working through the recovery process following today’s storms.

Adams County EMA is conducting damage assessments throughout the county while also working to coordinate volunteer organizations and cleanup crews for residents who have experienced significant storm damage.

If you have storm damage or need assistance with cleanup, please review and share the information in these graphics. Your reports help us identify needs, document the impact of the storm, and direct available resources where they are needed most.

Please see the below graphics for more information!

Please share so we can reach as many affected residents as possible.



❤️🙏🏻

08/11/2026

Please post damage address and pictures here!!!! Thank you all and stay safe!!!!!

This includes but not limited to:
* Tree Damage
* Structural Damage