Ravenna – Joseph Diorio, Health Commissioner of the Portage County Combined General Health District announced the 2018 Portage County Safe Communities grant has been awarded to the health district.
Safe Communities is designed for comprehensive traffic safety injury prevention at the local level. The goal is to reduce preventable crashes through increased public awareness of seat belt usage, distracted driving, and impaired driving.
Safe Communities is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through the Ohio Department of Public Safety. The grant concept is data-driven, and funding is based on a three-year average of fatal crashes. Portage County’s fatal crash average was 13.33 and was eligible to apply for a maximum amount of $42,000.
Portage County Safe Communities Coalition provides input to promote awareness and plans activities to accomplish the grant goals. The coalition is currently comprised of volunteers, state and county agencies, local businesses, safety advocates, and first responders. During the grant year, October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018, the coalition is required to conduct a minimum of twelve events, plus the “Click it or Ticket” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign kickoffs. Coalition meetings are open to the public and conducted the first Monday of every month. Meetings are held at 705 Oakwood Street, Ravenna and start at 9:30 a.m.
The grant also requires the Fatal Crash Data Review Board to meet quarterly to review all fatal crash reports to identify crash trends and recommend countermeasures. The board has representation from: Portage County Prosecutor, Engineer, and Coroner’s Offices, Ohio Department of Transportation, UH Portage Medical Center, Gateway Towing, law enforcement, and public health.
For more information regarding activities or meetings, contact Lynette Blasiman, Safe Communities Project Director, Portage County Health District, at 330-296-9919 Ext. 118.
