Interim EMA director asks for modest staff and equipment increases to maintain emergency coverage

Wade Evans introduced himself as the interim director of Emergency Management and framed his first full budget cycle as focused on staffing and operational readiness. He said the EMA has gone from four staff to two and requested a $10,500 increase for a radio to have a dispatcher capability at the mobile EOC. “That is for one radio for the EOC office…this would give us capabilities,” Evans said.

Evans also sought a $5,000 increase in a hazmat-equipment line to replace meters and consumables after the county consolidated hazmat trailers; he described higher overtime because the office has been short-staffed since December. Commissioners asked about call types (interstate wrecks, hazmat leaks, fire investigations) and Evans said EMA responds countywide, including interstate incidents when justified. The committee recommended Evans and the county administrator clarify duties before any permanent director appointment.