BOARDMAN — Boardman Township Administrator Jason Loree’s work on the Statewide Emergency Services Internet Protocol Network Steering Committee aims to improve and evolve 911 services in Ohio.

Gov. Mike DeWine announced March 3 that Loree has been re-appointed for a term that started March 3 and ends Dec. 31, 2024. The committee has existed since the 2012-13 legislative period in Ohio. Loree first was appointed in 2013 and has been reappointed every three years since.

“The committee ultimately is working toward the construction of a statewide 911 system that coordinates and sets the standards for which 911 will be handled in the state,” Loree said.

“Being on the committee has been an extremely rewarding process,” he said. “I am very grateful to be reappointed by Gov. DeWine and proud to be representing Boardman Township in this way.”

Actually, Loree represents more than just Boardman; he serves as the committee representative for the Ohio Township Association.

Melissa Vince, in the Office of Communications of the Ohio Department of Administrative Services, said the 10 committee members address development of a statewide Emergency Services Internet Protocol Network (ESINet). They review the current funding model for Ohio’s 911 systems.

ESINet is a network capable of connecting calls, texts and other forms of media from the public to 911 Public Safety Answering Points or 911 call centers.

The committee also examines the state’s technology infrastructure to support next generation 911, researches legislative authority regarding governance and funding, makes recommendations for a more efficient and effective emergency services system, makes recommendations to govern effectively a statewide network, and coordinates with statewide initiatives and associations.

Vince said the committee already is responsible for a lot of improvements in Ohio. Among them are the hiring of a state 911 administrator within the Department of Administrative Services Office of Information Technology and establishing rules for 911 call centers in Ohio that cover training, technology upgrades and professional operations.

“Recommendations were recently finalized for legislation needed to transition Ohio to NG911,” Vince said.

Other members of the committee are Chairman Ervan D. Rodgers II, state chief information officer; Ohio Municipal League representatives Matthew G. Hiscock, Wadsworth director of public safety, and Lee E. Czerwonka, Blue Ash City Council from Hamilton; County Commissioners Association of Ohio representatives Assistant Director John Leutz and Clermont County Commissioner Edwin Humphrey; Ohio Sens. Frank Hoagland, R-30th, and Sean O’Brien of Bazetta, formerly D-32nd; and Ohio House of Representatives members Kent Smith, D-Euclid, and Rick Carfagna, R-Genoa Township.

jtwhitehouse@tribtoday.com