Franklin County Emergency Management & Homeland Security Partners with the Franklin County Coroner's Office on Regional Mass Fatality Plan

    Posted: 10/24/2016
    The Franklin County Coroner’s Office (FCCO) & Franklin County Emergency Management & Homeland Security (FCEM&HS) will create a regional committee to develop a Central Ohio Regional Mass Fatality Plan. The project is being funded through a $200,000 grant from the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSP) administered by the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA). 
     
    In a large event resulting in mass fatalities, county resources will be exhausted and responders will be strained beyond their limits.  The Central Ohio Regional Mass Fatality Plan will provide an essential tool to identify resources and capabilities outside the affected area and get them where they are needed most.  The Plan is supported by the Ohio Homeland Security Region 4 EMA Director’s and each County Coroner of the 14 counties
     
    “We look forward to enhancing our collaboration with our regional partners,” said Darrel Koerber, Interim Director, Franklin County Emergency Management & Homeland Security.  “This project will significantly improve our ability to respond and recover from a major disaster.”   
     
    Dr. Anahi Ortiz, M.D., the Franklin County Coroner has stated, “Recent events in our country’s history dating back to 9/11 require an interoperable and collaborative response plan from the whole of Government, and specifically the central Ohio region.  The 9/11 attacks, the Joplin and Norman Tornadoes, and the recent Orlando night club shooting highlight the need for a robust plan to effectively guide the response efforts.  This grant-funded project will provide needed funds to the central Ohio area to develop an effective strategy and comprehensive management plan for responding to mass fatality incidents which is inclusive of our regional counties.”
     
    David P. Corey, Executive Director, Ohio State Coroners Association has stated, “The Ohio State Coroners Association (OSCA) was pleased to learn that the Franklin County Coroner’s Office and the Franklin County Emergency Management Agency have been awarded a substantial grant to continue to develop their Regional Mass Fatality Plan and Exercise Efforts.  OSCA stands ready to assist these agencies to ensure our communities and partners participate in planning training for a rapid and comprehensive response to an event resulting in mass fatalities.”