CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — Clarion County Commissioners Ted Tharan, Wayne Brosius, and Ed Heasley have approved a month-to-month agreement with the owners of the former Clarion Ford garage, paying only for gas and electric bills.

The agreement was approved at Tuesday’s meeting of the Clarion County Commissioners.

The facility will be used to store emergency management equipment. The storage will help promote the longevity of the equipment by keeping it under a roof and avoiding damage.  Snow plowing equipment will also be stored there.

Currently, the county’s emergency equipment is stored in multiple locations such as fire halls and, in some cases, outside.

“The owners are gracious enough not to charge us actual rent and we just have us pay the utility bills,” said Tharan. “We do have the first right of refusal in the event that someone wants to rent or buy the building.”

Asked if the Commissioners were looking to purchase a building for storage, Tharan said, “We have to do something for the future and we just don’t know what direction and we’re going to look at all options.”

Emergency Management Awards Presented

Randall Stahlman, Emergency Management Coordinator for Clarion County, was presented with an Advanced Certification  by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency at Tuesday’s meeting.

(Photo: Jeff Smathers, Phillip Barker, and Randall Stahlman.)

The Advance Certification was presented by Phillip Barker, director of the PEMA Western Area Office. Barker noted Stahlman’s accomplishments in completing the necessary training and experience to earn the prestigious award. He completed the training requirements in the PEMA Services Code, section 7502 in the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Directive 2017 – 2.

Additionally, Public Safety Director Jeff Smathers was presented with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Basic Certification Award.