COTS

09/02/2026

Recent severe weather across Central Ohio has been an important reminder that emergencies can happen quickly and have lasting impacts.

At COTS, we work alongside healthcare organizations and community partners across 36 Ohio counties to strengthen readiness, coordination, and response so that when the worst happens, the best are ready.

This National Preparedness Month, take a few simple steps to prepare at home, at work, and wherever you spend time in our community. Review your emergency plan, check your supplies, and know where to get trusted alerts.

08/20/2026

🚍 Back-to-school season is here! Please slow down, stay alert, and remember: yellow lights mean prepare to stop, and red lights with the stop arm extended mean STOP. Give our kids the space and time they need to get to and from school safely. 💙

Back to School! 🚌 🍎 ✏️

Yellow lights on a school bus mean drivers should prepare to stop. If you’re driving, slow down, stay alert, and watch out for children. When you see red lights and a stop sign: for school buses!

08/14/2026

Before an emergency happens, emergency managers are already hard at work.

August is National Emergency Management Recognition Month and tomorrow is Emergency Management Recognition Day!

We celebrate the professionals who help communities prepare for disasters, coordinate response efforts, and support recovery when emergencies occur. Their commitment helps protect lives, property, and critical services throughout Ohio.

The best way to honor their work? Be prepared. Learn about local hazards, sign up for emergency alerts, and make sure your emergency plan and supplies are up to date.

THANK YOU to the COTS emergency preparedness team for their behind the scenes support of 36 of Ohio's 88 counties! We are safer because of your leadership. (Jodi Keller, Kelsey Blackburn, Arin Tracy, Sierra Miller, and Jaquez Harris)

08/04/2026

Dr. Cotton, COTS Board member, and Dr. Vanderhoff, ODH, share important facts about the value of vaccines. https://www.youtube.com/live/g-8u5v5A-Gw

Please read, watch, and share.
Together, we are good health!

As families prepare for a new school year, National Immunization Awareness Month is a reminder to make sure children are up to date on recommended vaccines.

In a recent column originally published in The Columbus Dispatch, retired pediatrician and longtime Columbus Medical Association member William Cotton, MD, addresses common questions parents have about vaccines. Dr. Cotton encourages parents and patients to discuss any concerns with a trusted healthcare provider and work together on a plan to protect themselves and their families from serious illness.

Read the column at the link in the comments.

08/04/2026

As families prepare for a new school year, National Immunization Awareness Month is a reminder to make sure children are up to date on recommended vaccines.

In a recent column originally published in The Columbus Dispatch, retired pediatrician and longtime Columbus Medical Association member William Cotton, MD, addresses common questions parents have about vaccines. Dr. Cotton encourages parents and patients to discuss any concerns with a trusted healthcare provider and work together on a plan to protect themselves and their families from serious illness.

Read the column at the link in the comments.

07/31/2026

Naloxone saves lives ❤️ and every minute matters during an opioid overdose.

COTS applauds this collaborative effort by Franklin County Public Health to ensure all Franklin County first responders are equipped with naloxone. Early recognition and rapid administration of naloxone—combined with coordinated EMS transport and hospital care—can significantly improve patient outcomes.

This initiative highlights the strength of partnerships across EMS, fire, law enforcement, public health, and healthcare to save lives and enhance emergency response throughout our region.

Learn more about this important public health milestone and why it matters to our community: https://myfcph.org/franklin-county-first-responders-ohio-carry-naloxone/

Follow the QR code or the web link to learn more and to order your Naloxone (Narcan) today!

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!