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IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Regional Activation

For the second time this month, Ohio TERT personnel will be deploying for activation in Northeast Ohio. (3) personnel have been assigned as part of an Interregional Communications Strike Team that will be assisting at the Parma Regional Dispatch Center following the sudden passing of Public Safety Dispatcher Jeff Lipp. Lipp served as an Auxiliary Police Officer for the City of Parma for 16 years and joined the Parma Regional Dispatch Center in 2017.

Assigned personnel will be covering at Parma on Sunday and Monday, 19 and 20 July, while Parma personnel attend calling hours and memorial services for Dispatcher Lipp. Therapy K-9 Odin from Chagrin Valley Dispatch will also accompany the team to provide support as well. The remainder of the Task Force remains available if additional personnel are needed.

Ohio TERT extends our deepest condolences to Dispatcher Lipp’s family, the Parma Regional Dispatch Center, and Parma Police Department, and the City of Parma.

A joint initiative of the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials and the National Emergency Number Association, Ohio TERT coordinates mutual aid response for public safety telecommunicators during disasters.

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE: INTERSTATE ACTIVATION

Following an interstate assistance request, Members from Ohio TERT are preparing to respond to the Wayne County Communications Center. This is in response support of a July 5th shooting in the City of Rittman that killed 4, including Rittman Police SGT. Scott Ries.

Ohio TERT, part of the national Telecommunicator Emergency Response Taskforce, is sending approximately 10 public safety communications dispatchers from across the state to relieve Wayne County Sheriff’s Office dispatchers so that they may attend the memorial service for SGT. Ries.

Ohio TERT Chair Nick DiCicco, Director at Chagrin Valley Dispatch near Cleveland, said Ohio TERT is deploying to do their part to help. “It is a privilege for the Ohio Telecommunicator Emergency Response Taskforce to stand alongside the Rittman Police, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office and it’s communications professionals during this difficult time.” He continued, “…While our role is to ensure uninterrupted emergency communications by supporting dispatch operations, our greater purpose is to allow their dispatchers and public safety personnel the opportunity to honor their fallen colleague without compromising service to their communities. This is what TERT was created to do – support one another, strengthen our public safety family, and ensure no agency faces tragedy alone.”

The assigned OHTERT personnel will be working shifts on 9 and 10 July, but the remainder of the taskforce remains available for further deployment if needed.

Ohio TERT extends our deepest condolences to SGT. Ries’ family, the Rittman Police Department, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, and all those affected by this Line-Of-Duty loss.

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