Decatur introduces homeless strategy manager, welcomes deputy fire chief and swears in youth council

City leaders used the Sept. 2 meeting to introduce new staff and recognize community volunteers. Angela Threadgill, assistant city manager of community and economic development, introduced Felicia Moore as Decatur’s first homeless strategy manager; Moore said she brings more than 15 years of nonprofit and public-sector experience and is working on a resource map and a strategic plan aimed at making homelessness rare, brief and nonrecurring.

"I am so excited and honored to be the first homeless strategy manager here in the city of Decatur," Moore said, adding that she has coordinated a roundtable of community partners and that her work is guided by a preliminary strategic plan.

The commission also welcomed Deputy Chief Dominic Orlando to Decatur Fire Rescue, congratulated seven CERT graduates from a recent class and recognized bystanders and staff involved in two cardiac-arrest saves earlier in the year. Eddie Bowman and an out-of-town rescuer were singled out for immediate compressions that, combined with rapid Decatur Fire and AMR response, led to patient survival and discharge.

Mayor Pro Tem Tony Powers administered oaths to newly appointed youth council members and urged the group to attend meetings and engage with city business.

Next steps: Moore said she will continue partner outreach, complete the resource inventory and return with recommendations; Fire and CERT staff will publish training resources and make the drill video available online.