Lindsey, Groves in as county disaster services coordinators
WALLACE— Shoshone County has named Holly Lindsey and Jeremy Groves as the new disaster services coordinators (DSC).
Earlier this summer, the Shoshone Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) accepted the resignation of the former DSC, Cory Foster.
“Cory (Foster) was so good at his job,” commissioner Mike Fitzgerald said. “There is a lot that goes into this position, but you also have to be able to look people in the eye and explain to them when things get tough and Cory could do that.”
Obviously, filling Foster’s shoes will be no easy task, but Fitzgerald thinks that the new duo is more than capable.
Both Groves and Lindsey work for the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), but will change into their DSC hats if and when an emergency arises.
“The BOCC appointed Holly as the Disaster Services Coordinator and Jeremy as the Assistant Disaster Services Coordinator,” Fitzgerald said. “Both report directly to the BOCC (not the Sheriff) when performing disaster services duties. Holly is the primary contact and lead when an incident occurs. In Holly's absence or when there is a conflict of interest, Jeremy will assume the lead.”
The part-time position is funded by a Homeland Security grant in the amount of $29,000 with $22,919 allocated annually to wages.
The grant is set up as 50/50 match with the County providing approximately $14,500. The hourly rate ranges from approximately $18.00 to $22.00 per hour, depending on experience. The schedule and hours Lindsey and Groves will work are less easy to quantify.
During an incident, many hours are logged and to a lesser extent, other hours are logged for jurisdiction preparedness, training, and program administration.
The position of DSC is not one that is to be taken lightly and is lined out under these county approved guidelines:
1. Coordinate, supervise and direct the effort of this County for the accomplishment of the purposes of this ordinance and as may be directed by the Board of Commissioners.
2. Coordinate and direct, in conjunction with Shoshone County Sheriff, other county elected officials and agencies, the mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery of all county agencies during a disaster. Nothing herein shall be deemed to grant or authorize the Coordinator to exercise any supervisory or command of authority over any deputies or employees of the county public officials, or equipment, goods or materials of said offices, which shall at all times remain under the authority of the direction of the respective public official.
3. Represent the County in all dealings with public or private agencies pertaining to Disaster Management and act as a lesion between Shoshone County and other government and non-government emergency or disaster management and response agencies.
4. Coordinate the preparation and implementation of county plans and programs for disaster Management which are consistent with National and State plans and programs.
5. Provide updating and testing of the county disaster operations plan and training of county personnel for damage assessment, damage survey and radiological monitoring.
6. Coordinate all requests from local governments for disaster services.
7. With prior approval of the Board of Commissioners, except the services of volunteers for the purposes of disaster management on behalf of Shoshone County on such terms and conditions as designated by the Board. The Coordinator may or shall have no authority to employ or contact with any person or entity on behalf of Shoshone County except with the express prior authorization of the Board of Commissioners
8. Execute all others duties of Coordinator as may otherwise be designated by the board of Commissioners as may be permitted by law.
Additional duties include administering the Homeland Security Equipment grant (approximately $26,000 per annum).
With the assistance of Idaho Office of Emergency Management representative, Jay Baker, Lindsey and Groves will be preparing a multi-County Emergency Responders solicitation for equipment needs.
They will also prepare a process that will equitably prioritize the selection of equipment in such a fashion that provides the best benefit to the County as a whole. Fitzgerald further praised the selection of Lindsey and Groves, both from a strategic standpoint and from a personal standpoint. “The timely appointment of Holly and Jeremy aids the County in two ways- The appointment fulfills an immediate need for the County to have the personnel and structure in-place in advance of an emergency event (e.g. the region is in the middle of its fire season), and the appointment provides the BOCC the opportunity to evaluate long-term options for the disaster services coordinator position,” Fitzgerald said. “I believe that both Holly and Jeremy are two upstanding and professional individuals that will represent the County well in their disaster service coordinator roles.”
The idea of having Lindsey and Groves in this position on a permanent basis is attractive for Shoshone County, but the BOCC is currently move forward with these two choices in sort of trial period to see if they need to look at other options.
Options on the table at this time include re-establishing the part-time non-benefited position, continuing forward with the current appointments, or working with an adjacent county to combine resources and efforts.