McDowell County recognizes emergency operations staff after multiple storm activations

William Keller, identified in the meeting as the county EMS director, used the Board of Commissioners’ Feb. 9 session to recognize the county’s Emergency Operations Center team for “long activations” over the past five to six years, including COVID, Hurricane Helene and recent winter storms.

Keller said the EOC includes EMS, emergency management, 911 communications and addressing, a community paramedic program and the fire marshal’s office. “They are hardworking. They are committed to this county, and they do what’s right every single day for the residents of this county,” he said.

Keller named dozens of staff and partners by role and contribution, including Mitchell Ledford (EMS operations manager), Sam Robinson (emergency management/fire marshal office), Andrew Worley, Deputy Director Presley, Desiree McLaughlin (recovery officer and FEMA-reimbursement work), Karen Step and Amberley Buff (9‑1‑1), Captain Agretta (special-needs medical shelter lead), Deputy Director Jones, Angie Wright (addressing coordinator), Victoria Gerrick (Grace Community Church partnership), Shannon Jones and Steve Jones (human services desk), and municipal and rec‑department staff who supported shelter and logistics work.

Keller noted the EOC and supporting departments had worked days on end during recent activations—“some of these folks have just come off work in 18, 19 days straight”—and praised cross-agency cooperation that moved residents to care and kept critical services running. Commissioners added personal thanks and recounted local rescue examples, and meeting attendees gave the team an ovation.

The recognition was presented as part of the evening’s appointments; no formal action or funding decision accompanied the remarks.