(From the Office of the Ohio State Fire Marshal)

Nearly 200 fire departments will soon have access to additional funds to upgrade their emergency radio communication equipment. The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal has announced the recipients of the 2026 MARCS (Multi-Agency Radio Communications Systems) Grant. During this grant cycle, 198 fire departments representing 63 counties across Ohio have been awarded a combined total of nearly $4 million.

A complete list of MARCS Grant recipients is available here. Upon signing agreement letters, the selected fire departments will receive the funds in early 2026.

The MARCS radio system provides statewide, secure, reliable public service wireless communication for first responders. The system allows first responders to seamlessly communicate with each other, as well as with other agencies that may be responding to an incident. Costs to acquire and operate the advanced MARCS radio system technology can be significant, which highlights the importance of these grants in helping to ensure fire departments of all sizes are able to access these valuable tools.

“This grant funding is a major resource for fire departments across Ohio, especially since it helps give them access to MARCS radios that they might not otherwise be able to purchase,” said Ohio State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon. “These radios help first responders better serve Ohio communities and protect those who call them home.”

The MARCS Grant is available annually to fire departments with service areas of 25,000 residents or less. Up to $50,000 per department is available through the grant. Priority funding goes to departments applying as part of a regional or countywide effort, as well as departments that show they are prepared to immediately begin using the MARCS radios upon receiving the funds.

Since 2020, the Division has awarded more than $24 million to fire departments across the state specifically through the MARCS Grant program, and an additional $13 million through its other grant programs to support equipment and training needs at departments.

For additional details on grant funding, visit the Division’s interactive Grants Dashboard at com.ohio.gov/SFMDashboard.