Fair Safety Committee has second meeting

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GREENVILLE — A second Darke County Fair Safety Committee meeting fine-tuned a comprehensive plan by county leaders, July 27, at the Darke County Fairgrounds, led by Darke County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Mark Whittaker.

Leaders from each division, within that safety plan, reiterated ideas and discussion from the first meeting that took place July 6, including: Fire, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) the Darke County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (EMA), the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the City of Greenville Street Department.

Greenville Township Fire Department’s Fire Chief Ken Stiefel said the the Township has coordinated with the Darke County Fire Chief’s Association to initiate help from other volunteer firemen, in other county jurisdictions, to assist Spirit Medical Transport, LLC. Greenville Township will also cover special events, including the concert.

“I want to thank Mr. Rismiller (Fairboard Director),” Stiefel said. “After the last meeting, we had a meeting in his office and made a lot of headway. Things are moving forward very well.”

EMA Director Mindy Saylor thanked the Fair Board for posting street signs on the various Midway drives, to remove confusion in folks reporting where emergencies are located. She also reminded the board of a weather radio suggestion, for the fair to provide weather radios to all of the barns and buildings on the fair grounds, allowing folks to receive weather warnings directly from the National Weather Service. Saylor also said the solar eclipse is Monday, August 21, during the fair. She suggested hanging signage, to advise people to look away from the sun during that time of around 2 p.m.

During the last Fair Safety Committee meeting, Fair Board Treasurer Jerry Marker suggested a discussion to close State Route 121, between gates four and five during the fair, to cut down on traffic congestion. The Ohio Department of Transportation Darke County Garage Transportation Administrator Alan Davis said between the last Safety Committee meeting and the current one, a meeting took place with Fair Board members and city administrators about closing 121.

“They aren’t going to close the state route,” Davis said. “In our experience, detour/road closure signs create more problems, such as congested traffic and people going around the detours. We want to make sure we get some message boards up and anything additional we can do to help.”

In addition, Chief Deputy Whittaker passed out and discussed an amended Emergency Action Plan.

“I want to thank the Township Fire Department for getting with the County Fire Chief’s Association; that is good to hear,” Whittaker said. “We will have some folks on the grounds for quick action. Thank you very much for doing that.”

By Carolyn Harmon

[email protected]

The writer may be reached at 937-569-4354. Join the conversation and get updates on Facebook search Darke County Sports or Advocate 360. For more features online go to dailyadvocate.com.

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