Daviess County is moving forward with plans to hire a Deputy Director of Emergency Management, restoring a position that has been vacant for months and increasing support for the county’s public safety operations amid a growing demand for emergency preparedness.
The position was posted this week and will assist Public Safety Director Jeremy Smith in overseeing the Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and coordinating emergency response efforts across the county. It’s a role that Judge-Executive Charlie Castlen said is long overdue.
“Jeremy has been doing the job that used to be done by multiple people,” Castlen said. “Since stepping into his role, he’s taken on additional responsibilities while also serving as EMA director. It’s time we get him the support he needs.”
Smith, who was promoted to public safety director in May, has been managing EMA operations since the departure of former director Andy Ball and the earlier resignation of Deputy Director Chris Cunningham. Castlen said both of those positions remained budgeted but unfilled.
“There’s no additional impact on the budget because these positions were already accounted for,” Castlen said. “We just haven’t filled them until now.”
The deputy director will assist with critical tasks such as overseeing the county’s warning sirens, helping maintain and submit the county’s emergency operations plan, and activating and managing the Emergency Operations Center during large-scale events.
“This person won’t just help coordinate emergency response, they’ll also serve as a backup in case I’m unavailable,” Smith said. “Right now, if I’m out of town or get pulled away, there’s no one else in this office to step in.”
Smith, who has spent more than 30 years in public safety, said emergency management differs from traditional fire or police service.
“It’s about supporting those frontline agencies during disasters — bringing in resources, keeping officials informed, and helping coordinate response across jurisdictions,” he said.
He emphasized that the role is especially vital as natural disasters become more frequent and complex.
“We’ve seen more severe weather and unexpected events, from tornadoes to unexplained booms,” Smith said. “We’re also preparing for the addition of new urban search and rescue teams in Kentucky, and it’s our job to know what resources are out there and how to access them quickly.”
The deputy director will help manage logistics, communicate with the public during emergencies, and facilitate coordination with local, state, and federal partners. The position includes 24/7 on-call responsibilities and requires the ability to activate and manage the Emergency Operations Center.
“This is about building a system that’s sustainable,” Smith said. “If something happens to me, or I’m unavailable, we need to know someone else is ready to lead.”
The full job description outlines responsibilities such as conducting training, managing grants, assisting in disaster recovery, and ensuring compliance with FEMA and Kentucky Revised Statutes. A bachelor’s degree in emergency management, public administration, or a related field is preferred, along with at least five years of professional experience in emergency services.
“This position will play a crucial role in making sure we’re ready, not just reactive,” Castlen said. “It’s another step in strengthening our emergency management system for the people of Daviess County.”
The job posting is available online, and applications can be submitted through the Daviess County Fiscal Court website.
