(Photo by Brett Dunlap) Wood County Commissioner Jim Hamric took the oath of office Thursday from Justice Gerald M. Titus III of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals at the Wood County Courthouse with his wife, Marjorie, holding the Bible, their daughter, Lori Hamric, and granddaughter, Haley Gibson, by his side. Hamric is finishing out the unexpired term left when former Commissioner Robert Tebay stepped down last week.

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal has announced the recipients of the 2026 Equipment Grant and Training Reimbursement Grant. The funding from these grants will help equip fire departments throughout Ohio with the resources they need to purchase essential gear, strengthen training opportunities and enhance overall readiness to protect Ohio communities.

The Equipment Grant program is providing $2 million to 148 fire departments across 72 counties. These funds will be used to purchase critical equipment such as protective turnout gear, rescue tools and other life-saving items that support firefighter safety and emergency response capabilities. Local recipients include:

– Waterloo Township Fire Department (Athens County) – $14,900

– Athens Fire Department (Athens County) – $4,165

– Rutland Fire Department (Meigs County) – $10,390

(Photo by Brett Dunlap) The Wood County Commission met Thursday where Wood County Commissioner Jim Hamric was sworn in and took his seat with Commissioners Jimmy Colombo and Blair Couch. Hamric was appointed to the commission this week to fill out the unexpired term on commission which will last until the end of the year.

– Scipio Township Volunteer Fire Department (Meigs County) – $15,002.80

– Bethel Township Volunteer Fire Department (Monroe County) – $15,000

– Chesterhill Volunteer Fire Department (Morgan County) – $15,000

– Caldwell Volunteer Fire Department (Noble County) – $15,015.35

– Little Hocking Fire Department (Washington County) – $14,950

(Photo by Brett Dunlap) Wood County Commissioner Jim Hamric, center, talks with wellwishers who attended his swearing in ceremony Thursday at the Wood County Courthouse. Hamric was appointed to the commission this week to fill out the unexpired term when the seat was vacated with the retirement of Robert Tebay last week.

In addition, the Training Reimbursement Grant is providing $500,000 to 198 departments in 75 counties. This funding helps offset the cost of firefighter training and certification courses, allowing departments to maintain high professional standards without placing additional strain on budgets. Local recipients include:

– Carthage Township Fire Department (Athens County) – $650

– Richland Area Fire Department (Athens County) – $1,700

– Middleport Fire Department (Meigs County) – $1,850

– Racine Volunteer Fire Department (Meigs County) – $1,550

(Photo by Brett Dunlap) A reception was held Thursday at the Wood County Resiliency Center for Wood County Commissioner Jim Hamric who was sworn into office on Thursday. Hamric talks with some of the people who attended his swearing in during the reception.

– Rutland Fire Department (Meigs County) – $450

– Salem Township Volunteer Fire Department (Meigs County) – $2,800

– Tuppers Plains Fire Department (Meigs County) – $1,950

– Malta-McConnelsville Volunteer Fire Department (Morgan County) – $1,995

– Beverly Volunteer Fire Department (Washington County) – $1,765

“Ohio fire departments, large and small, career and volunteer, show unwavering dedication to the communities they serve,” said State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon. “These grants allow us to support that dedication by ensuring our firefighters have the tools, equipment and training they need to perform their jobs safely and effectively.”

This announcement marks the latest round of investments the State Fire Marshal’s office has made in Ohio’s fire service during the most recent grant cycle. In addition to the Equipment and Training Reimbursement grants, the office has awarded funding through the MARCS Grant and the recent Small County Volunteer Fire Department Grant, which was established by the General Assembly via House Bill 96.

In total, $14.5 million in funding has been awarded to fire departments across Ohio during this grant cycle. Since 2020, the Division has awarded over $51.5 million in grant funding.

“These grants reflect our ongoing mission to strengthen fire protection in every corner of the state,” Reardon said. “We are proud to partner with Ohio’s fire service to ensure they have the resources they need to keep their communities safe.”

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

The Division of State Fire Marshal is part of the Ohio Department of Commerce. The department is Ohio’s chief regulatory agency. The agency ensures businesses follow the laws that help them create jobs and keep Ohioans safe. To learn more about the department, visit com.ohio.gov.