By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
ELLIS COUNTY – The Ellis County Commission has officially named Darin Myers as the head of the county’s emergency management department.
In June, the commission approved consolidation of the Rural Fire and Emergency Management Departments and created the new position of Director of Fire and Emergency Management. The changes were among several that, according to County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes, are expected to save the county nearly $100,000 in 2017.
At Monday’s meeting, the commission approved a resolution naming Myers to the new position as the person who “heads the agency responsible for providing (disaster) services.”
Myers replaces the previous Emergency Manager Bill Ring, who was appointed Public Works Director in June.
“Bill Ring was very well-respected in the Emergency Management field in the state,” Myers said. “I’m glad he’s not leaving because I’ve already called him quite a bit and asked him a lot of questions, and I’m sure there will be a lot more in the future.”
Myers said his No. 1 priority will be to finish the emergency operations center in the basement of the Emergency Services building. He said workers are installing desks and cabinets this week. The operations center is used for training and serves as the command center in the event of a disaster.
They are also working to upgrade the radio system in the EMS building. Emergency radios do not currently work in the basement of the building, and they will install a booster to improve coverage.
Myers said they will also be working to upgrade the communications center. The county has been working to upgrade 911 dispatch consoles, and Myers said he will spend a lot of time examining dispatch operations and studying what equipment will best fit the county’s needs.
He said he plans to talk with organizations within the county to determine what they expect from the emergency management department.
Myers will have to earn his additional certification as a Kansas Certified Emergency Manager.
In other business, the commission:
• Discussed and approved the hiring of a person to fill an open position in the County Attorney’s office. Ellis County Attorney Tom Drees said the position is open after a person on his staff accepted a position in the private sector.
• Agreed to support a legislative request drafted by Ellis County Appraiser Lisa Ree.
• Oversaw the canvass of the results from the Aug. 2 primary election. Voter turnout in Ellis County was 24.28-percent, according to County Clerk and Election Officer Donna Maskus.
• Met in executive session for 15 minutes to discuss attorney-client privilege. No action was taken.
Commissioner Dean Haselhorst was absent.