MONROE - Beginning in October, Green County Emergency Management will be under the direction of the Green County Sheriff's Department.
The Green County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved the plan.
The Green County sheriff will select the emergency management director, who will have an office at the sheriff's department. No one has been selected for the position.
Board Chairman Art Carter said it's more efficient and effective for emergency management to work in the sheriff's department.
"We just felt that it's a fairly common thing," Carter said. "It eliminates the need to have someone on call 24 hours a day. It's better overall."
Tanna McKeon, Green County Emergency Management project manager, and Emergency Medical Services Project Manager Mindy Allen will have offices at the sheriff's department.
Green County Corporate Counsel Brian Bucholtz told the board it made sense to put emergency management under the sheriff's supervision.
"There are a lot of counties that have emergency management attached to the sheriff's department," Bucholtz said.
John Reichling is emergency management director in Lafayette County and also is Lafayette County's chief deputy.
"There are so many services where the two work together," he said. "Having access to dispatch 24/7 is important."
Reichling said the arrangement works out well because he works closely with first responders in either capacity. He also works closely with Sheriff Scott Pedley.
"It works out well here because we have a good relationship," he said.
The change will mean Keith Ingwell no longer will serve as emergency management director. He's held the position for 31 years, he said, and felt it was time to slow down.
"I think this is a good move," he said.
Ingwell said he was consulted about the plan and didn't have any problems with it.
He will keep his duties as Green County veterans service officer, a position he's held for 32 years.
"The veterans office keeps me busy," he said.
The Green County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved the plan.
The Green County sheriff will select the emergency management director, who will have an office at the sheriff's department. No one has been selected for the position.
Board Chairman Art Carter said it's more efficient and effective for emergency management to work in the sheriff's department.
"We just felt that it's a fairly common thing," Carter said. "It eliminates the need to have someone on call 24 hours a day. It's better overall."
Tanna McKeon, Green County Emergency Management project manager, and Emergency Medical Services Project Manager Mindy Allen will have offices at the sheriff's department.
Green County Corporate Counsel Brian Bucholtz told the board it made sense to put emergency management under the sheriff's supervision.
"There are a lot of counties that have emergency management attached to the sheriff's department," Bucholtz said.
John Reichling is emergency management director in Lafayette County and also is Lafayette County's chief deputy.
"There are so many services where the two work together," he said. "Having access to dispatch 24/7 is important."
Reichling said the arrangement works out well because he works closely with first responders in either capacity. He also works closely with Sheriff Scott Pedley.
"It works out well here because we have a good relationship," he said.
The change will mean Keith Ingwell no longer will serve as emergency management director. He's held the position for 31 years, he said, and felt it was time to slow down.
"I think this is a good move," he said.
Ingwell said he was consulted about the plan and didn't have any problems with it.
He will keep his duties as Green County veterans service officer, a position he's held for 32 years.
"The veterans office keeps me busy," he said.