By JEFFERSON WEAVER
Staff Writer

The lack of a director is complicating emergency response in Columbus County, according to the board that plans how the county reacts to crises.

The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), which has only advisory power, voted Thursday to request that the Columbus County commissioners make public their plans about replacing emergency management director Ronnie Hayes.

Hayes and his assistant, Kevin Thompson, resigned last fall. Kay Worley has been acting director since Hayes’ departure.

“Ms. Worley has done a bang-up job where she can,” said LEPC chairman David McPherson, “but … that job can be overwhelming.

“You have to have a tremendous amount of training to do that job, and wear a lot of hats.”

The board voted to send a letter to County Manager Jim Varner and the commissioners asking that the permanent EM position be filled as soon as possible.

“The tornado is a perfect example of what happens when you have no real director,” McPherson said. “Ms. Worley and Sheriff Chris Batten really stepped up to the plate and did a bang-up job, but we need someone for whom that is their only job.”

McPherson said the Nov. 16 storm, which killed eight people in the Armour area, “was exactly what we feared would happen.

There was no control when that situation occurred – there couldn’t be – and we weren’t ready to deal with it.

“You need someone who knows what resources are available, and how to get them into action,” McPherson said. “The director is an important position for the county, and it doesn’t need to be vacant.”

In addition to crisis response, McPherson said the day-to-day business such as searching out grants, making sure fire and rescue personnel are properly trained, and investigating fires is being neglected.

Several fire and rescue programs– such as the planned aerial rescue team, or ropes squad – are on hold because the county lacks a full-time director.

The LEPC is comprised of county government officials, fire, rescue, and law enforcement personnel, and representatives of local industries.

The board will meet again April 12.