Dustin Drake and Scott Hoffman from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security met with the Marshall County Commissioners during their meeting last Monday to discuss the position vacated when Clyde Avery retired last month as the county’s EMA Director.
The pair presented information to the commissioners that expressed their desire for the county to fill the position with another full-time employee. The guys gave examples of the relationships EMA Directors have with local police, fire departments, and EMS. They also reviewed the emergency management director’s responsibility. They prepare plans and procedures for responding to natural disasters or other emergencies. They also help lead the response during and after emergencies.
An EMA director provides the support, tools, and resources to ensure that the county can build, sustain and improve its capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
Commissioner Kevin Overmyer said he’d been wrestling with contracting out the position or hiring someone either full-time or part-time. He said with 2 major rail systems and 2 major highways crossing the county there are more opportunities for critical incidents to happen.
About a month ago the commissioners did accept applications for the position but haven’t taken any action on them. The Commissioners will hold an Executive Session for discussion of this HR matter.
