Belmont County Emergency Management Agency director Dave Ivan provides an update to the Board of Commissioners about how his agency handled the recent snow storm. (T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA)

ST. CLAIRSVILLE – Belmont County Board of Commissioners approved an agreement for a web-based weather data software product with Baron Weather Inc, on behalf of the Belmont County Emergency Management Agency for $1,200.

Commissioner Jerry Echemann said that the approval was based upon the recommendation of county EMA director Dave Ivan and will be effective Feb. 11 through Feb. 10 2027.

Ivan said that the software gives the agency access to weather information that the general public isn’t privy to. He explained the benefits of the new software and paid service which will replace a current weather monitoring system.

“We can set perimeter rings. So If we know that we have severe thunderstorms or whatever moving into the area, we can set rings at 40 miles, 20 miles and 10 miles,” he said. “As that storm hits each barrier, we know how much lightning is in the area. So if we have an event, we’ll set it for that particular location and as soon as that lightning hits within 10 miles, everybody’s notified.”

The software is a lot cheaper than what is currently being used and will save the agency about $3,000 a year, Ivan said. The new software also offers multiple-user capabilities.

“The other thing is, with the DTN service that we have now, only one person can be logged in at any given time,” Ivan said. “So if I’m sitting in my office and they’re at the EOC [Emergency Operating Center] and I’m looking at that and those guys down in the EOC say, ‘hey, we need to look at the weather,’ it knocks me completely out.

“But this new software can have two users on it at the same time, so I can be watching it in my office and also in the EOC,” he added. “It’s a lot better software than what we’re currently using right now – and cheaper. So I’m always good for cheaper and easier.”

In other weather talk, Echemann asked if Ivan could provide some insight into how his agency handled the massive snowstorm that hit the area received last month.

“I know you guys were up and running during this bad snow storm, and that’s kind of a round-the-clock thing, isn’t it? Can you just for my benefit and for the benefit of the public, say what you were doing as that snow piled up?” Echemann asked.

Ivan said his team monitored road conditions and was in constant communication with Belmont County Sheriff James Zusack regarding what snow levels the county was on. That monitoring, he said, also included going out in the field to see the road conditions firsthand.

“But also, from time to time, we actually go out and hit the roads. That way we can see what’s going on, plus also doing kind of the same thing as the [Ohio State] Highway Patrol, making sure nobody’s got stranded or stuck,” Ivan said. “We’re monitoring all public safety, because you start talking about heavy snows and now we’ve got roofs collapsing and stuff like that. Folks that can’t get the medication they need.”

The advanced forecast helped residents be more prepared for the storm, Ivan added.

“They advertised that this storm was coming, so if you needed medications, you could make sure that you had enough of them and made sure you had food. Of course, you have people going and hoarding about 20 rolls of toilet paper, but it’s good for the grocery stores,” Ivan said. “I would rather be at the EOC when it hits, versus being at home, because I live in Lansing and now, especially with Blaine Hill down, trying to get from home to the office when something bad happens. So we go into monitoring and assessment mode, so we just kind of sit back and watch and make sure we’re there if something does happen.”

Echemann then thanked Ivan for keeping the board updated while the snow storm raged on.

“You did a good job of keeping our board updated during that situation, and I know the three of us really appreciate it,” Echemann said.