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DAS
HOMELAND SECURITY
The Ohio
Department of Administrative Services (DAS) is proud of the
contributions it has made to Homeland Security. These contributions
involve the Multi-Agency Radio Communications System, military
leave Web site for state employees and military reservists,
and the Agency-wide Safety and Security Action Plan.
Multi-Agency Radio Communications System
(MARCS)
The Ohio Department of Administrative Services
(DAS) is an important member of the State of Ohio Security
Task Force because of its leadership role in the procurement,
development and stewardship of MARCS, Ohio's state-of-the-art
radio communications system which is nearing completion. MARCS,
currently supported by DAS and 13 other state agencies, will
provide state and local safety forces with the capability
of clear, affordable voice and data transmissions on an integrated
statewide system regardless of terrain or bad weather.
The tragic events of Sept. 11 brought national focus to the
fact that there are serious communications barriers between
many primary emergency response units. Ohio recognized this
in 1989 when first responders to the Shadyside flood disaster
were unable to communicate with each other even though they
were well equipped with portable and mobile radios. In-depth
studies into the communications difficulties experienced at
Shadyside led to the development of MARCS.
Here
is a snapshot of how MARCS will help improve the safety and
security of Ohioans in the event of an emergency or disaster.
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MARCS
will enable voice and data communications to be shared
statewide by 14 state agencies, all county sheriff departments
and all county Emergency Management Agencies as well as
various townships, municipalities and federal agencies.
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MARCS
utilizes a secure, interference-free radio system that
provides mobile voice, data, vehicle- location services
and computer-aided dispatching. |
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MARCS
uses radio towers and numerous other interconnections
that will enable shared communications in all 88 Ohio
counties and up to 97.5 percent of Ohio's landmass. |
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MARCS
supports remote data terminals and in-car laptop computers
that enable law enforcement officers to query various
data banks about drivers licenses, vehicle registration,
outstanding warrants, hazardous cargo material information,
etc. |
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MARCS
can withstand continuous, heavy use by many simultaneous
users while providing reliable, instantaneous and accurate
retrieval of information. |
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MARCS
should be able to meet the state's law enforcement and
public safety communications needs for the next 20 years. |
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Military
Leave Web site
The information on this site has been assembled to help reservists
and their families make the transition from state employment
to military duty and then back again to their state jobs.
The site includes information about the responsibilities of
the employer and the employee, including procedures for electing
military or other types of leave, continuation of pay and
benefits, and reinstatement to state employment. The form
to elect the continuation of health and dental/vision insurance
also is included as are links to related resources.
Agency-wide
Safety / Security Action (ASAP)
ASAP is a comprehensive program designed to help increase
the safety and security of DAS employees by initiating policy,
educating and informing employees and assuring ongoing awareness
of security concerns. The program has been endorsed by the
governor as a model for other agencies to follow.
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