EMA seeks New Equipment

The Muskingum County Emergency Management Agency met with the County Commissioners June25.

They are in the beginning stages of acquiring homeland security equipment for search and rescue as well as Haz-mat purposes. The Director of of the EMA Bo Keck explained what type of equipment they are looking for.

“There’s everything from rescue equipment, saws, scott air bottles for the departments, radiological monitoring type stuff, air monitors, and then just a lot of hand tools and so forth that need replaced,” said Keck.

The bidding process is item by item, the EMA is looking to save money, so they are accepting bids from various companies in order to find the most affordable prices on each item. Replacing all out of date equipment is essential for the department.

“The majority of the equipment is replacing equipment we had purchased back in 2003 that’s either outdated or worn out,” said Keck.

Keck hopes to re-visit the County Commissioners in order to finalize his recommendations for the bids and begin to purchase items needed. Once purchased, they will be distributed to Fire Departments throughout the eastern part of the state of Ohio, including the city of Zanesville.