Martinsen assumes disaster coordinator duties

WALLACE — The search for a new Shoshone County Disaster Services Coordinator seems to finally be coming to an end.

On Monday, the Shoshone County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) unanimously appointed Planing and Zoning Administrator, Dan Martinsen, to the position following an almost two month long process of interviewing candidates.

The BOCC has been attempting to fill the part-time/ non-benefited role since early October when Holly Lindsey and Jeremy Groves stepped back from the job.

In the time since, three potential candidates were interviewed, but Commissioner John Hansen explained in a meeting on Nov. 27 that none of them “fit the bill.”

With the applicants not being what they were looking for and no other individuals being interested in the position, the BOCC decided to change their tactics and look in-house.

Martinsen has been the Administrator of Planing and Zoning in Shoshone County since 2008 and has worked with former Disaster Coordinators in the past.

Because of that experience, he is already semi-familiar with the job description.

“This is a pretty important thing,” Commissioner Mike Fitzgerald said when talking about the position.

“There’s a representation and professional component that I think we need, and after interviewing Dan, (he’s) got it.”

The duties that come with this new job will be added to Martinsen’s list of responsibilities for the county, as he will still continue his role with Planning and Zoning.

In addition to the appointment, the BOCC will also hire an assistant to help with the new work load.

“We can make the job duties work by having an assistant,” Martinsen explained.

“I don’t want somebody to just answer the phone, I want somebody that can be my assistant so that they can eventually be the assistant planner, assistant coordinator, or assistant to public works.”

From a financial perspective, Fitzgerald says that their choice to combine the two positions and hire an assistant should not change the bottom line.

“If we utilized the salary component on an hourly basis with Dan, and then brought in an assistant, essentially what we end up doing is ending up with a wash in the two budgets,” he explained.

The position of Disaster Services Coordinator is funded by a Homeland Security grant in the amount of $29,000 with $22,919 allocated annually to wages.

This grant money will be used to supplement Martinsen’s overall pay to the level of other county executives such as Director of Public Works and Undersheriff at the Sheriff’s Office.

Upon accepting the position, Martinsen admitted that “the learning curve is going to be a steep one,” but with help from the soon-to-be hired assistant, he is looking forward to the challenge.

“He will be a great addition for what we need,” Commissioner Jay Huber said.

Guidelines established by the county explain that the Disaster Series Coordinator is expected to:

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 liaison 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 also include administering the Homeland Security Equipment grant (approximately $26,000 per annum).