Responsible for the control and extinction of fires in urban and wilderness areas; the inspection of buildings and hillside property to ensure potential fire hazards; and the maintenance of equipment and trained firefighters necessary for a quick and efficient response to fires when they occur. Also, provides emergency medical services and ALS transportation to local hospitals.

Protects the residents of Morgan County by enforcing environmental health regulations relating to clean air and water, safe food, proper waste disposal, insect infestation and safety.

Responsible for the correct disposal of all private household sewage systems in a manner which will protect surface and groundwater from contamination. This division reviews, plans and regulates new and replacement sewage systems. Responsible for proper private water supply systems (such as wells, cisterns, etc.)

Provides information, education, or other assistance in the control of air and water pollution, to insure proper handling of solid wastes and hazardous materials, such as radiation, toxic fumes, pesticides, explosives, and other potentially dangerous materials.

Provide licensing and inspection for all public swimming pools, bathing beaches, spas and campgrounds and consultation services for pool and spa operators and their facilities. Inspections are conducted: - To keep chlorine and PH. readings of pool water at a safe level and maintain them for the public. - To insure pool location is safe and all required safety equipment is in place. - Educate pool operators so pool will be operated with few problems (also lifeguards).

Public Health Nurses focus on improving or maintaining, the health of individuals, families, and population groups within Athens County. Using clinical knowledge, social and public health sciences, Public Health Nurses promote recommended health prevention screenings, administer immunizations to prevent debilitating and life-threatening diseases, investigate communicable diseases to provide interventions to prevent disease from spreading and causing more illness and provide health education to meet the needs of the community.

Investigates complaints about unsafe working conditions. Provides services and enforces labor laws and governmental regulations for workers' safety and health in the workplace. Plays a role in preventing on-the-job injuries and illnesses through outreach, education, and compliance assistance. Coordinates the Voluntary Protection Programs with businesses and industries seeking to develop and maintain safe workplaces. Covers more working men and women and their employers who are covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Accepts complaints about unsafe working conditions.

Provides a collection of non-traditional library items, including: craft kits, bicycles, games, electronics, health related items, kitchenware, sewing machines, musical instruments, puzzles, outdoor activity items, STEM kits, telescopes, tools, adventure passes, memory kits, and the seed library. For a complete list of items, visit: https://www.mrcpl.org/browse/library-of-things/

Offers fire protection, emergency medical services, and fire prevention education. Provides open burn permits. Offers CPR, Automated Defibrillator (AED), and First Aid training throughout the year, and provides carbon monoxide testing. Speaks to local groups, businesses, and schools about fire prevention. Provides blood pressure screening and may provide smoke detectors and installation as long as supplies are available. Also provides lock boxes to older adults and persons with disabilities; box contains a house key so that emergency personnel do not have to break the door down when responding to a call. Provides special signs so that emergency personnel may see addresses better.

Licenses and inspects food service operations, vending machine operations, retail food establishments, and temporary food and mobile food operations as described above. Responds to consumer complaints regarding restaurant. Reports and investigates food-borne illnesses.

Conducts childhood lead poisoning investigations and provides education to parents/guardians whose children have elevated blood lead levels or are lead poisoned.

Routinely inspects household sewage systems owned by individuals or businesses. Collects surface water samples to test for quality near these systems both at routine intervals and if a complaint is received. Also tests water from private wells upon request. Issues permits for new sewage systems and wells and alterations to existing systems, and inspects these upon completion. Verifies abandonment of sewage systems when sanitary sewer connection occurs. Verifies abandonment of private water systems.

Regulates and enforces workplace health and safety standards.

Establishes and enforces standards to protect air and water quality (including lead in water), as well as solid and hazardous waste management and cleanup. Insures proper handling of solid wastes and hazardous materials including radiative substances, toxic fumes, and explosives. Offers information and education about environmental issues such as air quality, water quality, water supply, and others. Handles non-emergency complaints about violations of state's environmental protection laws. Examples of complaints include (but are not limited to) smoke or heavy dust emissions from industrial facilities, illegal dumping, burning of trash or tires, drinking water issues, destruction or draining of wetlands, and discharging industrial or agricultural waste into water or storm sewers. Offers opportunities for citizens to participate in public advisory groups, public information sessions, and public hearings. Can provide information regarding lead in water including if the area is under an advisory and/or what actions one can take.

Tobacco cessation program to help pregnant women quit smoking and stay tobacco free after baby is born. Women who enroll in the program, quit smoking and remain tobacco free after the baby is born receive free diapers for 12 months (voucher to Walmart each month).

Athens City-County Health Department strives to protect its residents from public health emergencies, by developing and maintaining emergency response plans that addresses foodborne outbreaks, bioterrorism, infectious disease outbreaks, etc. Health Department staff participate in annual exercises, that focus on public health emergencies, so that we can respond effectively and efficiently, at any given notice.

Provides fire department and EMS ambulance transport. Will come out and check homes for carbon monoxide gas. Does not provide detectors, but will install a homeowner's unit free of charge. Administers the Senior Citizen Smoke Detector Program, installing a free, new smoke detector for seniors age 62 and older. Will also return to replace batteries and make sure all detectors are working. Non-emergency activities include fire safety demonstrations and fire code inspections of public buildings. Also provides green reflective house number signs, free of charge, to all Springfield Township/Ontario residents.

Disease reporting, questions and concerns regarding infectious diseases and other public health emergencies.

Provides a variety of services to assist with the identification and control of communicable diseases. Surveillance and follow-up is conducted by public health nurses on all communicable diseases reported to the health department by private physicians and hospitals.

Provides increased awareness of elevated blood lead levels. Identifies sources of lead poisoning and hazards through testing and refers the results to other agencies (Ohio Department of Health (http://www.odh.ohio.gov), Doctor's office, Mansfield Metropolitan Housing, etc) Promotes childhood lead poisoning prevention to parents and homeowners.

Provides assistance to qualified individuals and families. Assistance available includes: - Auto Insurance - Liability up to four (4) months coverage. - Car Repair - Not regular maintenance. - Driver's Education Classes. - Employment Related Expenses. - GED Incentive. - Emergency Hot Water Tank Repairs or Replacement. - Emergency Furnace Repairs or Replacement. - Emergency HVAC Repairs. - School Fees. - Pest Removal Services. - Property Taxes - ½ year delinquent or longer.

Sanitarians conduct comprehensive inpsections of schools, the county jail, campgrounds, RV parks, and manufactured home parks. In cooperation with the Ohio Department of Health, the sanitarians review plans for, license, and inspect all campgrounds, public pools, and spas.

Provides services that are directed toward IV drug users, crack users, and their sexual partners. Services provided through this program include: HIV and AIDS education, counseling, and testing; Hepatitis B testing; syphilis screenings; and blood pressure screenings. Every patient will also receive case management services.

Issues permits to all public swimming pools and spas and routinely tests water chemistry for proper disinfectant levels. Ensures that proper and adequate safety equipment is on the premises. Posts inspection results, complaints and violations online for consumer use.