Chatham County proclaims August Emergency Management Awareness Month; director highlights duties, staff and funding needs

The Chatham County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 8 adopted a proclamation recognizing August 2025 as Emergency Management Awareness Month and heard department staff outline emergency-management activities, staffing and funding needs.

The proclamation, read by Chairman Chester A. Ellis, asked residents and governments to “review and enhance preparedness efforts” and recognized local emergency managers for coordinating response and recovery across jurisdictions. Dennis Jones, director of Chatham County Emergency Management (CEMA), accepted the proclamation and described CEMA’s scope: planning, hazard analysis, coordinating resources during response, public education, mitigation and long-term recovery work.

Why it matters: Jones told commissioners that CEMA’s work extends beyond hurricane season and that the office’s plans become the operational blueprint when the chairman declares a local state of emergency. He urged continued investment in staff training and facilities to ensure rapid response and recovery across Chatham County.

Jones noted that this proclamation is the county’s inaugural Emergency Management Awareness Month recognition and described the CEMA team’s certifications and responsibilities. “Our main mission is to plan and prepare the citizens of Chatham County and the governments within Chatham County,” Jones said. He also described an upcoming capital project — a new facility the county has budgeted funds to acquire — and thanked the board for budget transfers intended to help the agency secure a permanent operations center.

Commissioners and board members praised the staff. Several commissioners told Jones they had seen CEMA “calm, cool and collected” in past incidents and thanked the team for coordination with the sheriff’s office, fire departments and other agencies.

Jones introduced and recognized CEMA staff by name and role, citing certifications and professional achievements for each (for example, Randall Matthews, Chelsea Sawyer, Seth Sawyer and others) and said the office manages multiple budgets and grant funds “for a total allocation of a little over $114,000,000.” He described the staff’s coordination with the National Weather Service, volunteer amateur radio assets and partner organizations.

Ending: Jones asked commissioners to visit and observe CEMA capabilities. Chairman Ellis closed the item by thanking Jones and the staff for their work and noting a planned photo of the proclamation presentation.