Gahanna Enhances 9-1-1 Services & Emergency Notification with Smart911

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City of Gahanna public safety officials recently announced that Smart911 is now available to all individuals. Smart911 is a free service that allows individuals and families to subscribe to provide important information to 9-1-1 call takers during an emergency.

“Smart911 has been proven nationwide to shorten the response time for emergency calls.,” said Angie Collins, Dispatch Communications Supervisor for the Gahanna Division of Police. “The additional information added to the Safety Profile allows the dispatcher to get an exact location for the caller. Emergency medical information is also included in the profile, which can be helpful when responding to a car crash, a house fire, or any type of emergency that affects the caller’s ability to communicate with 9-1-1. The details provided within the Smart911 profile helps us respond more quickly and efficiently.”

Smart911 allows individuals to create a Safety Profile for their household by visiting smart911.com or using the Smart911 App. The Safety Profile should include any information the subscriber wants the 9-1-1 and response teams to have in the event of an emergency. When a citizen makes an emergency call, their Safety Profile is automatically displayed to the 9-1-1 call taker, allowing them to send the right response teams to the right location with the right information.

Gahanna Division of Police Chief Jeff Spence stated that Smart911 is an opportunity for Gahanna’s residents to provide critical life-saving information to aid 9-1-1 dispatchers and first responders in emergency situations.  “By creating a Smart911 profile, users can supply very detailed information in a safe and secure manner.  Information such as medical conditions, pets in the home and family members in need of special care are just a few examples of the type of information that can be shared, that is then attached to a user’s telephone number.  The information can only be accessed by a 9-1-1 dispatcher when a call is placed to 9-1-1 from a Smart911 user’s telephone.  This is a free service offered to our residents that will greatly enhance our response to residents in times of emergency.  The system saves time which save lives,” he stated.

With Smart911, individuals can link both home and work addresses to mobile phones, which can be passed on to responders in the field for more a detailed, rapid response. Additional information including pets in the home, vehicle details in the event of an accident, and even emergency contacts can all be included in a Safety Profile. The subscriber has full control of what information is added to their Safety Profile.

Mifflin Township Fire Chief Fred Kauser stated that Smart911 enables the first responder to assess the situation more efficiently. “Smart911 is like having a conversation with first responders before you even make the 9-1-1 call,” he stated. Many 9-1-1 calls are placed using cell phones, but locating an exact address is sometimes difficult when the call is made from a cell phone.

Smart911 is currently available in 40 states and more than 1,500 municipalities across the country. Locally, the City of Gahanna will join Dublin, Hilliard, Upper Arlington, Washington Township, Norwich Township and Grove City as part of the Smart911 network.

Individuals are encouraged to create their Safety Profile with Smart911 and elect to receive emergency notifications. Smart911 is private and secure, is only used for emergency responses and only made available to the 9-1-1 system in the event of an emergency call.

For more information, and to create your safety profile, please visit Gahanna.gov or smart911.com. The Smart911 App is available on the Apple Store or Google Play.

 

 

 

Gahanna PD: Monthly Community Report

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The Gahanna Division of Police has been busy! Check out the most recent edition of the Gahanna Division of Police Monthly Community Report for updates HERE.

Surgical Suites in Final Planning Stage for Crescent at Central Park

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Walnut Creek Surgical Suites, a privately operated surgical center, will complement the two medical buildings on the site now, the Walnut Creek Wellness Center building and the Central Ohio Urology Group building.

The final development plan will be reviewed by Planning Commission tomorrow evening by the developer, Larry Canini. Agenda and information for the February 24 meeting: https://gahanna.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=843629…

The developer needs city approval to build the new $2.2 million, 7,200-square-foot center.

“The growth in healthcare demand in the marketplace is palpable, and the site has been a good location with so much access from 270, Morse and Hamilton,” Canini said.

Business First Article: http://bit.ly/3slpWaR

 

 

Fraud Alert: Unemployment Identity Theft

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The Ohio Attorney General’s Office has been made aware of a high number of fraudulent claims regarding Unemployment Benefits issued through the state of Ohio. The Gahanna Division of Police is also experiencing a high number of these calls from concerned residents. In most cases we are the first line reporting agency on fraud however the validity and investigation of any unemployment claim is handled exclusively by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS).

A local police report is not necessary for unemployment fraud as there is no mechanism in place for the Gahanna Division of Police or the Ohio Attorney General to contact ODJFS on your behalf to either start or expedite the investigative process. Gahanna residents reporting unemployment related fraud will be deferred to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) website to file a fraud claim which is the fastest means of notification and initiation of a review on your behalf.

If you have received one or more of the following and you did not file for Unemployment Benefits you may have had a fraudulent claim made in your name:

  • A 2020 1099-G tax form for Ohio Unemployment.
  • Correspondence regarding Ohio Unemployment.
  • Correspondence with a PIN from Ohio Unemployment.
  • A US Bank Card for Ohio Unemployment.
  • Notification from your employer regarding Unemployment Benefits that you did not apply for.

. If you received one of these notifications and did not file for unemployment you should follow these steps, in order: The following information is shared from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office

  1. Contact ODJFS immediately.

You should report unemployment benefit identity theft to ODJFS by completing an online form here or by visiting www.Unemployment.Ohio.Gov. You will need to enter personal information such as your Social Security number and your driver’s license number. If you do not have access to the internet, you can call ODJFS at 877-644-6562; please note wait times may be long.

Once you’ve successfully filed your report, ODJFS will send a confirmation email, investigate the claim, and issue a correction to the IRS if fraud is determined.

  1. Check your credit report.

Visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com or call 877-322-8228 to do so. A credit report will show all credit-related accounts open in your name, such as mortgages, credit cards and car loans. Credit reports are free through April 2021, and after that date, you are entitled to one free credit report per year from each of the main three credit reporting agencies. On your report, look for accounts and inquiries that you do not recognize.

If after checking your credit report, you find accounts that do not belong to you, you are encouraged to contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Identity Theft Unit (800-282-0515 or www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov).

  1. Consider placing an Initial Fraud Alert on your credit report.

A fraud alert makes it harder for an identity thief to open credit accounts in your name and lasts for one year. You need to contact only one of the credit agencies listed below to place the alert; the one you contact will share the information with the other two. The agencies are:

There is no charge to place an Initial Fraud Alert.

  1. Consider placing a permanent Security Freeze on your credit report.

A Security Freeze will prevent others from opening credit in your name; such a freeze is free to place and is permanent. (You must pause or end it to open a new account.) Unlike an Initial Fraud Alert, for a Security Freeze, you must contact all three of the credit reporting agencies. Use the contact information listed above to do so.

The following websites may be helpful for those fraud victims dealing with tax issues related to receiving a fraudulent 1099-G for Unemployment Benefits:

 

Business Spotlight: Sullivan Woodwork

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If you are looking for some inspired, handcrafted décor for your home –or the perfect (custom) gift for a friend, look no further than Sullivan Woodwork. Gahanna residents and owners Tony & Angie Sullivan combined their talents (he’s a landscape craftsman; she’s a graphic designer) to start a Gahanna business specializing in handcrafted items you won’t find elsewhere.  We posed a few questions to Tony to learn more about their story:

Tell us about your business (mission/goal) and how it came about?

I have always been in the tree and landscape business, working with all types of wood. My family business is Sullivan Tree Service. We have extra wood from landscape jobs, so I decided to start milling my own wood, which led to making wood signs. My wife is a graphic designer, so we decided to combine the graphics with the wood products, using CNC and laser carving.

Initially we sold at festivals and fairs around town, and have always sold through our website. Gahanna’s Herb Day Festival was one of our first events. Now we also have a shop at Creekside Plaza. My goal is to share thoughtful and inspirational words and allow people to put custom quotes on our wood products for their homes and businesses.

What is your specialty?

Over the years, we have been able to add a variety of products. They include large and small wood signs, coasters, magnets, keychains and much more. Our products make great souvenirs, holiday & special occasion gifts.

What do you like about doing business in Gahanna?

I have lived in Gahanna since 2002 and have seen my family and the community grow in many ways. My hope is that Sullivan Woodwork can add to the diversity of businesses in Gahanna and become a community gift shop. I am always adding new products, and now adding epoxy “river” art (which combines glossy colors with natural wood) and other unique styles.

Where can people learn more about your company?

Customers can visit our website at www.SullivanWoodworkOhio.com or visit our store at Creekside Plaza (hours are currently Sat. & Sun. 12-5 pm).

 

Ohio’s COVID-19 Vaccine Town Halls begin Feb. 22

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Whether you hear myths on social media, at work, or from friends or family, there is a lot of dangerous misinformation out there about COVID-19 vaccines. The truth is that COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and rigorously tested. Ohio’s COVID-19 Vaccine Town Halls are designed to help you sift through the myths and learn where you can find reliable, trustworthy information about COVID-19 vaccines.

You’ve got a questions, and the upcoming Town Halls will give you answers. Hear from medical experts, community leaders, and public health professionals. Watch livestreams at the following dates and times:

• Monday, Feb. 22, 6:30 p.m. – African American Ohioans
• Tuesday, Feb. 23, 6:30 p.m. – Hispanic/Latino Ohioans
• Monday, March 1, 6:30 p.m. – Asian American and Pacific Islander Ohioans
• Tuesday, March 2, 6:30 p.m. – Rural Ohioans

How to watch:
Watch live or on-demand after the event:
• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/OHdeptofhealth/
• YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/OhioDepartmentofHealth1
• Online – https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/townhall

Watch later on TV:
Watch later on the Ohio Channel. Find your local channel by checking with your PBS station or television provider. Dates and times you can watch:
• Saturday, Feb. 27, 6 p.m. – Ohio COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall for African Americans
• Saturday, Feb. 27, 7 p.m. – Ohio COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall for Hispanic/Latino Americans
• Sunday, Feb. 28, 2 p.m. – Ohio COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall for African Americans
• Sunday, Feb. 28, 3 p.m. – Ohio COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall for Hispanic/Latino Americans
• Saturday, March 6, 6 p.m. – Ohio COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall for Asian American and Pacific Islander Ohioans
• Saturday, March 6, 7 p.m. – Ohio COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall for Rural Ohioans
• Sunday, March 7, 2 p.m. – Ohio COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall for Asian American and Pacific Islander Ohioans
• Sunday, March 7, 3 p.m. – Ohio COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall for Rural Ohioans

Learn more at coronavirus.ohio.gov/townhall.

Rent Assistance

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The Ohio Development Services Agency is now distributing $100 million in federal funding to help low-income Ohioans who do not own their own home pay their rent, water, sewer, wastewater, electric, gas, oil and/or trash removal bills.

  • Eligible Ohio households must:
  • Be at or below 80% of their county’s Area Median Income (varies by county and size of household);
  • Have experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19; and
  • Demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

To learn more, visit: https://businesshelp.ohio.gov/home-relief-grant.html

Local Business Spotlight: Donna’s Delicious Dozen

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One of the SWEETEST businesses to make the Gahanna area its home is Donna’s Delicious Dozen. Owner Traci Lukemire opened her shop (north of the Morse Rd. and Hamilton Rd. intersection) in June, 2019. But it didn’t take long for her delectable creations to become popular with local residents! We caught up with Traci to learn more.

Tell us about Donna’s Delicious Dozen and how it came about?
The idea of Donna’s came about from vacationing with my family. We would always visit little local donut shops on vacation and I knew what a joy it brought to my family, and I wanted to bring that same joy to others, here in the Columbus area.

What is your specialty?
We specialize in made to order donuts. They are served warm with a variety of toppings & glazes.

What would people be surprised to learn about your company?
My customers are usually surprised by the fact that my name is not Donna.  Donna is actually my grandmother, who just celebrated her 92nd birthday.

What differentiates you from your competitors?
 There are several things that separate us from our competitors. I would say it is our ability to create unique flavor combinations that definitely sets us apart. We also customize our donuts for events such as weddings, baby showers, and birthday parties like nothing else that I have seen in our area. As we are growing, we are also expanding our brand. We just purchased our first food truck, and to my knowledge, we will be the only donut shop to take our concept mobile.

What do you like about doing business in the Gahanna area?
I have always loved the diversity in Gahanna. This is the main reason I sought out a location in this area.

Where can people learn more about your company?
www.donnasdeliciousdozen.com

The Upside of Downsizing

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Join the Gahanna Senior Center team at 11:30 am Wed., February 24 for a Zoom “Lunch & Learn” addressing the many considerations you may face when looking to downsize. Highlights include what to do with a lifetime of stuff, 10 steps to selling your home, tax implications, financing options and an overview of types of available housing in the Gahanna area.

A boxed lunch and program packet for pre-registered participants will be available for pick up between 9:30 – 10:30 at the Gahanna Senior Center. To register, please call 614-342-4265 or email Annette.Rundio@Gahanna.gov by Monday, February 22. There is no cost to participate. Open to Gahanna Senior Center member and non-members.

Featured Speakers:

Catherine Hope-Cunningham is a long-time Gahanna resident and two-time homeowner who understands the joys and challenges of home ownership. She was the top-selling agent at Carleton Realty in May 2020 and is a member of the Million Club. Catherine has also volunteered in Gahanna schools for 8 years and currently serves on the PTO board. She lives in Gahanna with her son and husband of 23 years.

Robert C. Kutschbach, founder of Carleton Realty, is one of the most widely recognized Real Estate instructors in the State of Ohio. He has been with Carleton for 31 years as owner/broker. In 2019, Bob was named Broker of the Year by the Columbus Board of Realtors.

Freezing Weather: How To Protect Your Pipes

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