Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Daviess County creates Public Safety Director post and promotes Fire Chief Jeremy Smith to lead emergency operations
Summary
The fiscal court approved creation of a new Public Safety Director position, waived a section of the county administrative code to allow the change, and promoted Jeremy Smith (Fire Chief) to the role; the judge said the move consolidates EMA and fire supervision to improve preparedness and response.
Daviess County Fiscal Court on May 22 voted to create a new Public Safety Director position and promoted Fire Chief Jeremy Smith to the role effective May 2025.
Judge-Executive Charlie Castle said the position is intended to improve interagency communication, update emergency response protocols, and serve as a single point of contact for public information during disasters. Castle said Jeremy Smith possesses the training and experience needed and that the new role consolidates supervision of the county’s Emergency Management Agency and the fire department for operational consistency.
Castle said the new position will be partially funded initially by attrition and that over time the county expects the position’s cost to be mitigated through consolidation and further attrition. He read a statement describing expectations for the role, including project management for a new public-safety facility and enhanced coordination with partner agencies.
Commissioners and those present thanked Chief Smith for his service and offered well wishes; Commissioner Condor referenced Smith’s upcoming marriage and thanked first responders for their work.
Details from the meeting:
- Action: Waiver of Section 9 of Chapter 11 of the administrative code was approved, the new position of Public Safety Director was created and Jeremy Smith was promoted to that post effective May 2025. - Expected duties listed by the judge: maximize interagency communication, update organizational emergency response protocols, centralize public information for emergencies, and manage development of a new public-safety facility. - Funding: Initially partially funded by staff attrition; judge stated potential for no incremental cost over time.
The court approved the move by voice vote. No additional ordinance or salary schedule was read into the record at the meeting; the judge said staff-level implementation steps would follow.
