LOGAN, Ohio — As annual visitation to the Hocking Hills region continues to climb, the Hocking Hills Tourism Association (HHTA) is turning tourism dollars into emergency resources.
Explore Hocking Hills announced today the rollout of its Tourism Impact Emergency Services (TIES) grants. Funded directly by overnight lodging taxes paid by travelers, the proactive program is designed to equip local first responders with the tools necessary to manage visitor-related emergencies while simultaneously upgrading safety services for local residents.
“In addition to travelers supporting local businesses and jobs, they pay local tax infusion and their overnight stays are funding a lasting positive impact by supporting our local emergency responders,” said Valerie Fox, HHTA Board President.
The announcement details funding for 19 total grants split across two recent funding cycles.
2026 Cycle 1 Grants: 7 Agencies Equipped
The latest round of funding targets immediate upgrades at seven local emergency operations:
- Hocking County Sheriff’s Office 9-1-1 Dispatch Center: Funded three years of emergency networking data services via OARnet/Cologix. The upgrade enhances text-to-911 capabilities and sharpens communication between dispatchers and field teams.
- Hocking Valley Search & Rescue: Funded drone-based response upgrades—including a spotlight and speaker system—alongside enhanced K9 search capabilities to locate lost or injured individuals in low-light and remote terrain.
- Logan Fire Department: Acquired multi-band radios and serviced existing portable gear to establish seamless communication channels with law enforcement, EMS, and state park resources.
- Murray City Fire Department: Funded a Utility Task Vehicle (UTV) and portable fire suppression skid unit to allow responders to navigate tight off-road spaces, specifically targeting the Long Run Trail.
- Ward Township Fire Department: Secured a 25Kw liquid propane/natural gas generator. The backup power will prevent water tankers from freezing during winter storms and allow the station to act as a community warming or cooling shelter during extreme weather.
- Washington Township Fire Department: Purchased a side-by-side trailer, skid unit, rescue basket, and 13 fire helmets. This builds upon a 2025 grant that provided the department’s initial off-road vehicle.
- Emergency Management Services: Purchased dedicated radio equipment and system training for staff operating the transport-capable vehicle that answers local auto accidents.
Retrospective: 12 Grants Disbursed in Fall 2025
The current cycle follows a massive wave of 12 grants distributed late last year that vastly expanded the county’s emergency inventory:
| Recipient Agency | Equipment / Services Funded |
| Hocking County EMA | 38 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for countywide first responders. |
| Hocking Valley Community Hospital | Replaced emergency room beds/stretchers, instituted weight-based dosing protocols, and funded Trauma Life Support certifications. |
| Hocking Valley Amateur Radio Club | Modernized backup communication gear used during peak tourism seasons and natural disasters. |
| Sheriff’s Office & Logan Police | Funded three new cruisers (one for the Sheriff’s Office, two for Logan PD). |
| Marion Township Fire Department | Replaced 35-year-old rescue truck tools with new battery-powered vehicle extrication equipment. |
| Search & Rescue / Local Fire Depts. | Acquired advanced thermal-imaging drones (Search & Rescue) and portable MARCS radios (Laurelville). |
| Logan, Starr, Ward, & Washington Fire | Multiple off-road UTVs, trailers, and pump/tank skid inserts for remote trail rescues. |
Promoting Responsible Tourism
HHTA officials emphasized that the TIES grant program functions alongside the region’s “Love Hocking Hills” initiative. The educational campaign teaches visitors how to minimize their ecological footprint and stay safe while exploring the state’s popular parks.
For complete area details or safety schedules, travelers and residents can check lovehockinghills.com or download the region’s official travel resources.
