Laurel and Whitley Counties, Kentucky – Emergency management agencies in Laurel and Whitley counties are merging operations to enhance resource efficiency in response to a decline in volunteer numbers. This initiative marks the first collaboration of its kind in the state of Kentucky.
The merger aims to bolster emergency response capabilities in both counties, particularly as volunteer availability has diminished in recent years. Officials from both counties viewed the consolidation as a necessary step to improve service delivery and preparedness in the face of emergencies.
Jerry Rains has been appointed as the director of the newly formed emergency management service. With a robust background, including over a decade of experience overseeing emergency management across multiple counties, Rains expressed confidence in the team he will be leading. “Having retired from the state, having 12 counties under my wing with the state, with as many as 21 counties at one period in time, it can be challenging,” he stated. “But I have a good group of people helping me with deputies, and we will be building on that.”
The merger aligns with a 2014 state law permitting an emergency management director to operate in a county while residing outside its borders, thereby allowing for greater flexibility in leadership.
Officials from both counties anticipate that the integration of their emergency resources and management will lead to improved responses to disasters, ensuring better protection and support for their communities.
The merging of emergency services is seen as a proactive approach by local governments to adjust to changing dynamics in volunteerism and to maximize efficiency in emergency preparedness efforts.
