Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has announced the formation of a new working group tasked with evaluating how emergency services are delivered in Ohio’s 76 state parks, especially in light of increased demand on local resources. The newly established Public Safety in Ohio State Parks Working Group will examine the systems in place and recommend solutions that balance public safety needs with the realities faced by local governments. “We certainly recognize that the popularity of Ohio’s state parks can result in more emergency calls and higher expenses for surrounding communities,” said Governor DeWine. “I’ve asked this working group to examine the demand for emergency services in our state parks and how that demand impacts local communities.”
The creation of the group comes after the Governor vetoed a budget provision that would have required the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) to reimburse local governments for emergency services provided at South Bass Island State Park—without providing additional funding to do so.
Leadership and Membership Reflect Statewide Expertise
The working group will be co-chaired by Andy Wilson, Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, and Mary Mertz, Director of ODNR. The group includes a diverse mix of public safety professionals, government officials, and tourism representatives, reflecting the broad impact of emergency service coordination at parks across the state.
Members include:
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Lt. Colonel Pat Brown, ODNR Office of Law Enforcement
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Eric Burns, Chief of EMS, Tri-Village Rescue Service
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Chief Robert Butler, Independence Police Department
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Jason D’Onofrio, Commissioner, Hocking County
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Heidi Fought, Executive Director, Ohio Township Association
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Sen. Theresa Gavarone, District 2
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Josh Gardner, District Manager, ODNR
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Bill Houk, Program Coordinator, Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association
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Melinda Huntley, Executive Director, Ohio Travel Association
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Sheriff Stephen Levorchick, Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office
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Lt. Colonel Josh Swindell, Ohio State Highway Patrol
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Dan Swords, Deputy Director, Division of EMS
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Steven White, Chief Warrant Officer, U.S. Coast Guard
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Woody Woodward, Executive Director, Ohio Parks and Recreation Association
First Meeting Set for November 18
The group’s first public meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Ohio Department of Public Safety, located at 1970 W. Broad Street, Columbus.
This initiative is expected to lead to recommendations that will improve collaboration between state and local governments, ensuring both visitor safety and fair support for the communities that respond to emergencies within Ohio’s beloved state parks.
