COTS

07/23/2026

🚨 ATTENTION: There is an urgent need for blood donations.

The American Red Cross reports the national blood supply is at dangerously low levels and donations are needed NOW to ensure patients receive lifesaving medical care without delay.

Patients in Central Ohio and across the country rely on donated blood for trauma care, emergency surgeries, cancer treatment, childbirth complications, and other life-saving medical care. Just ONE blood donation can save multiple lives.

Please schedule an appointment today at your local blood donation center. If you are not able to donate, please encourage your family and friends to take action today to save lives.

07/10/2026

Many brain injury survivors experience persistent symptoms long after their initial injury and may eventually lose connection with clinical care, community resources, and opportunities to participate in research.

The NeuroTrauma Registry of Ohio (NTR-OH) is a voluntary research registry designed to reconnect Ohioans affected by traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI) with research studies and needs assessments focused on improving understanding, treatment, and long-term outcomes. The NTR-OH team matches eligible registrants with IRB-approved research opportunities and shares studies that may be relevant to their experiences.

Any Ohioan with a confirmed or suspected TBI or SCI is eligible to enroll by completing a brief online consent form and survey. Researchers from Ohio and beyond can also use NTR-OH to recruit study participants at no cost.

THE ASK:
We encourage healthcare providers, patients, families, advocates, and community partners to share information about NTR-OH to increase awareness and enrollment. By connecting survivors with meaningful research opportunities, NTR-OH helps advance knowledge, improve resources, and support better long-term care for individuals living with the effects of neurotrauma.

07/10/2026

Don’t forget! Deadline is next week!

🚨FINAL NOTICE: Idle MARCS radios will soon be deactivated.
📅 Idle radios will be deactived on July 15, 2026.
🆘 MARCS radios (portables and mobiles) that have NOT been authenticated will no longer work.
🔗 For more information: https://associationdatabase.com/aws/OFCA/pt/sd/news_article/620127/_PARENT/layout_details/false

07/10/2026

Thank you to Director Shroyer for his leadership and collaboration. He will be missed. Wishing him many blessings in his retirement!

07/10/2026

Summer safety tips from our friend at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center, Dr. Lauren Smith.

07/10/2026

Blessed to have CFD Bomb Squad protecting our citizens!

07/08/2026

🚨 Food Safety Reminder 🚨

The Ohio Department of Health is encouraging everyone to take a few simple steps to help protect themselves during the current cyclosporiasis outbreak investigation. Please take a moment to review these easy food safety tips and help keep you and your family healthy.

Ohioans encouraged to wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly

07/08/2026

Allergy season is here, and many of us are feeling it! 🌼🤧 If you're dealing with sneezing, itchy eyes, or congestion, this helpful post from one of our CMA physician partners offers practical tips to help you manage your symptoms and know when it's time to seek medical care.

If your seasonal allergies feel worse, or like they’re lasting longer, you’re not alone. In CMA’s latest feature in the Columbus Dispatch, Dr. Basil Kahwash shares the physician perspective on allergy season and what patients can do to manage symptoms.

Interested in contributing or weighing in on future topics? We’d love to hear from you.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/seasonal-allergies-lasting-longer-year-4xqqe

07/06/2026

COTS first responder members - Don't forget to take advantage of your FREE Savvik Buying Group membership.

Savvik provides access to discounted pricing on a wide range of products and services, helping your agency save time and money while avoiding the bid process in many cases.

Purchases made through Savvik also help support COTS and our mission throughout Central, Southeast, and Southeast Central Ohio.

Visit Savvik today to learn more and start saving: Savvik Buying Group

📣 Please share this reminder with the staff in your organization who handle purchasing decisions.

If you are not a COTS first responder member - please contact us to learn more https://www.cotshealth.org/contact-us

07/02/2026

Mental health is shaped by so much more than what happens in an exam room.

Medical care is an important part of the picture - but so are connection, community, trust, and culturally responsive support.

This , explore resources from Mental Health America and Nami Franklin County that can help support minority mental health in July and beyond.