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Hampshire County Commission approves Darren Hamrick as combined HSEM and HCESA director
Summary
The commission voted to combine the Homeland Security Emergency Management (HSEM) and Hampshire County Emergency Services Agency (HCESA) director positions and to offer the dual role to Darren Hamrick at a proposed salary of $70,000 with a prompt start date.
The Hampshire County Commission voted Jan. 28 to combine the county’s Homeland Security Emergency Management director post and the vacant Hampshire County Emergency Services Agency director post and to offer the combined position to Darren Hamrick.
The commission’s interview subcommittee evaluated five applicants and “unanimously recommend[ed] Darren Hamrick for the HSEM director position,” the sheriff told the board when presenting the committee’s finding. The committee reported that Hamrick “meets or exceeds all qualifications stipulated in the job description.”
The recommendation before the commission asked that the posts be combined and that the county draft a formal letter offering the dual role to Hamrick. Commissioner Cannon moved to accept the subcommittee’s recommendation; the motion was seconded and carried with all those present saying “aye.” The board voted separately to direct staff to draft a formal offer letter. Commissioners stated during the discussion that Hamrick had indicated he would accept a combined-role salary of $70,000 and was willing to start on the following Monday.
Commissioners and subcommittee members discussed the expected workload for a combined, part-time arrangement. The sheriff and subcommittee members told the board they believed the county’s rural profile and the limited range of likely emergencies—chiefly flooding and fires—meant the HSEM duties could be performed without a full-time, stand-alone director. Commissioner Mance asked how the proposed part-time arrangement compared with practice in neighboring jurisdictions; the sheriff answered that models vary—some counties combine EM with 911, others have standalone EM directors—but that the committee believed Hamrick and appropriate command staff could meet the county’s needs.
The commission also voted to send a formal offer letter to Hamrick and to move forward with drafting employment paperwork. No finalized employment contract or effective date beyond the candidate’s stated willingness to start Monday was provided at the meeting.
The action follows the county’s ongoing effort to fill two vacant emergency posts and to clarify reporting and budget structure between county emergency management and volunteer rescue services. The commission said it would follow up on salary paperwork and formal offer language in the coming days.
