Proclamation for Logistical Support to Department of Health

March 23, 2020

WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of Ohio is authorized to call upon the Ohio National Guard to assist state and local government authorities to execute laws and respond to state emergencies; and

WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020 I declared a State of Emergency for the entire state in response to the novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Ohio; and

WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, the Ohio Emergency Management Agency activated the Emergency Operations Center; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Health requires assistance in logistics planning and staffing of the receipt, staging, and shipment (“RSS”) of medical countermeasures and supplies at the Department’s Warehouse in Groveport, Ohio to various locations throughout the state and has requested the assistance of the Ohio National Guard to assist with maintaining inventory control and vehicle load operations at the warehouse of these countermeasures and supplies to aid with their distribution throughout the state.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mike De Wine, Governor of the State of Ohio, pursuant to Article IX, Section 4 of the Ohio Constitution and Section 5923.21 of the Ohio Revised Code, hereby authorize as needed, in State active duty status, those personnel and units of the Ohio National Guard, as designated by the Adjutant General, that are needed to take appropriate actions as is necessary to assist the Department of Health in aiding with the operations of its RSS Warehouse and with providing other logistical support it may require in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio. Pursuant to Section 5923.23 of the Revised Code, those Ohio National Guard units and personnel will act only pursuant to the orders issued on my behalf by the Adjutant General, and through him, by the commanding officers of the units and personnel deployed by the Adjutant General. The Adjutant General shall provide for all transportation, services, equipment, and supplies necessary for the designated units or personnel of the Ohio National Guard.

This Proclamation takes effect immediately. It will remain in full force and effect until the assistance is no longer needed as determined by the Adjutant General, in consultation with the Governor, who will coordinate state response efforts and terminate this Proclamation upon the recommendation of the such time to be determined by the Executive Director of the Emergency Management Agency, who will coordinate state response efforts and terminate the emergency upon the recommendation of appropriate officials of the Department of Health.