Zanesville Fire Department receives new radios and bullet proof vests

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The Zanesville Fire Department have recently upgraded some of their equipment.

At City Council this week, the ordinance passed on the fire department receiving new MARCS system radios. Interim Fire Chief Doug Hobson said communication is a top priority with first responders and now they have the ability to talk to the Zanesville Police Department, the ambulance and all of county fire departments.

“We know what the cost is, but how can you put a price on one life? If that communication makes such a difference that it does and saves one life, it’s paid for itself,” explained Chief Hobson.

The fire department also received 25 bulletproof vests from the Canton Police and Fire Department. They will be assigned to every seat on the fire truck.

“This is that everybody goes home,” said Chief Hobson. “This is that at the end of the day, everybody’s safe, everybody can still sit around and talk about the call because of Canton Fire donating $22,000 worth of vests just to the city of Zanesville.”

Chief Hobson said their motto ‘everyone going home at the end of the day’ is more likely to be fulfilled thanks to their new equipment.