By James Massara

Newly hired Crawford County Emergency Management Director Kirk Williamson met with the Crawford County Commissioners on Tuesday morning for his first official meeting with the trio since he was hired Jan. 15.

Williamson and Crawford County Deputy EMA Director and 911 Coordinator Jette Cander met with the commissioners to have some questions answered as the new direction of the EMA moves forward.

Williamson said he has been doing a lot of studying and has attended some courses to help him continue to learn about his new position, including studying the county emergency operation plan, which delegates what county entities have what responsibilities during a crisis and took a public information speaking class, which he will take more of.

Williamson said his question was what policy is in place, or needs to be put in place, to be reimbursed for the travel and course costs.

Commissioner Jenny Vermillion said each county body can make its own addendum and form its own policies on how they want to handle the process before bringing it to the commissioners.

Cander said the EMA currently requires two signatures on the submissions before taking them to the commissioners.

Vermillion also said a detailed agenda of the trip must be submitted along with the reimbursement forms.

Williamson said it is important to know the processes because he plans on sending himself and Cander to classes and sessions to learn more and improve on their jobs to better serve the community.

Williamson said another improvement to the job would be to be granted permission to purchase reflective public safety coats with the agency’s name on them.

“I believe in being seen and identified,” Williamson said. “It also helps distinguish the agencies when we are all out at a scene together.”

Williamson said he even had an instance where a bomb squad would not talk to him because they did not know who he was.

He said, for him, it comes down to being visible, being protected and being identified.

The meeting ended with Williamson saying he was excited for about the job and the challenges that come with it.

“The biggest thing for me is getting the chance to serve the community I grew up in,” Williamson, a Buckeye Central graduate, said. “When I was a paramedic, most of the time I knew the patient or their family. People like a familiar face and I like to serve those I know too.”