Darrel has been the Deputy Director since his arrival in September 2008. In his role as Deputy, he focuses his attention to all those activities inside the facility; overseeing everyday functions related to fiscal, training, resources, operations and planning. During an emergency when the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is manned, Darrel acts as the EOC Director to ensure the EOC operates in an effective and efficient manner. Darrel utilizes his military background to enhance his experience in many different facets of emergency management. He brings extensive experience in training, exercises, real world crisis situations and team building.
Thomas leads the Agency’s Alerting and Warning Program, which encompasses managing and maintaining the Outdoor Warning Sirens system for the 42 jurisdictions in Franklin County. He is the administrator of the county’s mass notification and warning program, ALERT Franklin County. Thomas oversees the operations of the Agency’s Assessment Center, which provides a common operational picture and analyzes situations or incidents that may have a countywide impact on public safety.
Thomas came to the Agency from The Ohio State University Department of Public Safety where he served 11 years as a Communications Supervisor, CAD Administrator and OHLEG Coordinator. At OSU, he served on various councils, committees and workgroups focused on process improvement, diversity, labor relations, contract negotiations and developing best practices. Thomas spent 13 years a Wright State University where he served in the Police Department as a Police Dispatcher, Dispatcher Supervisor, Training Coordinator and LEADS TAC. Throughout Thomas’ career in public safety, he has served as a member of Ohio APCO on numerous committees, sub committees and as a member of the board.
Jill is responsible for organizing and coordinating all administrative operations and resources on a daily basis for FCEM&HS. She provides support to the Director and members of the staff. She organizes meetings, maintains office supply inventory, and ensures all filing systems are up to date and current. Jill also serves as the Recording Secretary for the FCEM&HS Executive Committee, Franklin County Fire and Police Chiefs Associations, and the Franklin County Communications Advisory Committee. Jill has a degree in American Sign Language Interpreting and has experience in judicial court reporting and 911 dispatching.
Kelly coordinates all of the agency’s internal and external communications. She is responsible for writing and distributing agency press releases, newsletters and preparedness educational materials. She manages all content for the FCEM&HS & ALERT Franklin County websites as well as the agency’s social media platforms. Kelly serves as the media contact for the agency. She responds to all media inquiries and arranges interviews for the Director and executive staff. She is responsible for providing the media and the public with timely and accurate information before, during and after an emergency or disaster. Prior to joining FCEM&HS, Kelly worked for the City of Columbus in the Office of Communications with Columbus City Council and the Columbus Division of Fire.
Carter is responsible for providing Geographic Information System (GIS) services in support of Agency activities. He also provides technical support on all technology utilized by the Agency. GIS products can be critical in the response to emergencies and events and provide a geographic representation of the common operational picture (COP). Disasters always happen somewhere; mapping the impact, response activities and resources creates a powerful tool for emergency managers to provide more effective and efficient service to those in need. Technology changes rapidly; Carter is the Agency lead on planning, purchasing, issuing, maintaining, and controlling the technology inventory and usage. Carter is a graduate of Ohio University.
Johnna serves as the Franklin County Communications Coordinator. She manages all public safety communications systems coordinated by FCEM&HS including the Franklin County Radio system, Franklin County 911 database and Homeland Security Regional Communications. She is also a liaison to the county's Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), multiple communication centers and the Central Ohio Amateur Radio groups. Johnna brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in public safety communications to the Agency. Prior to joining FCEM&HS, Johnna served as a Communications Supervisor, Training Coordinator and Dispatcher for The Ohio State University Department of Public Safety. She is a certified instructor with the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) and currently serves as the Vice President of the Ohio Chapter. She is also a member of the National Emergency Number Association (NENA).
Connor is responsible for providing technical planning expertise to the Agency. He assists with the review and update of the Franklin County Emergency Operations Plan and accompanying documents , internal emergency plans, job action sheets, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) such as the Continuity of Operations Pan and weather-related emergency procedures. He also manages planning programs including: Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA); the Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan; and the Hazardous Materials Response Plan. Connor comes to FCEM&HS with a degree in Emergency Management and Homeland Security from the University of Akron.
Pam is responsible for coordinating agency trainings for local emergency management professionals, first responders, volunteer organizations, private organizations and other partners in Franklin County and the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). She organizes the grant funded exercises to ensure compliance with grant guidelines and tracks and monitors exercise improvement plans. She also works with Ohio EMA administering state and local grants to local government organizations. She has been with the agency since 2004.
Melissa is responsible for preparing the Agency's annual budget and comprehensive financial reports. She also oversees various accounting-related activities such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, and the bi-weekly employee payroll. Melissa has been a valuable member of the Franklin County team since 2006, initially serving in the Auditor’s office before bringing her extensive experience and knowledge to FCEM&HS in 2023.
Garrett is responsible for developing and maintaining a county-wide disaster resource data base identifying public and private sources of specialized equipment for use during a disaster or emergency. He is charged with sustaining plans to coordinate and distribute resources as needed and requested due to natural or man-made disasters (Including donated goods and services). In addition, Garrett oversees the agency’s volunteer programs including the Franklin County Community Emergency Response Team (FC CERT), Franklin County and Columbus Medical Reserve Corps (FC&C MRC) and Volunteers in Public Safety Support (VIPSS). Previously, Garrett worked for the Franklin County Office of Management & Budget, the Ohio Legislative Service Commission, and has been an intercollegiate debate coach at Capital University since 2011.
Carl joined FCEM&HS in 2020, fulfilling the evolving Homeland Security Coordinator position. His role encompasses an all-hazard approach to strategic initiatives, technical guidance, exercise planning/execution, and coordination with local, state, and federal partners for homeland security. Carl spent 23 years with the military, retiring as an Army officer in the Military Police Corps. While in the military, Carl spent several years assigned to the Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team (WMD-CST), the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), and the Homeland Response Force (HRF). His last role in uniform was as a planner for overseas interoperability and counterterrorism exercises with NATO partners and Balkan States. He holds certifications as an Ohio Paramedic, EMS Instructor, Tactical Paramedic, Firefighter, Peace Officer, and HazMat Technician.
Alex is responsible for supporting the Agency’s public safety and radio communications, homeland security, and warning systems operations. Prior to joining FCEM&HS, Alex worked in the 911 dispatch center at The Ohio State University for four years and earned a degree in Computer Science Engineering. Additionally, he has participated in search and rescue and disaster relief missions with the Civil Air Patrol and the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary. His professional background extends to drone operations, cyber security, CCTV operations, photography, and 3D image rendering.