Coconino County has announced it’s new director of emergency management.

Todd Whitney will take over the role, and he will assume responsibility for working with government agencies and public safety departments to coordinate disaster relief services.

Whitney most recently served as the Gila County Emergency Manager and Communications Specialist, where he managed and introduced the county-wide Emergency Alert System and mass notification project.

Whitney has extensive experience in the field, having served in the United States Marine Corps and interned for Coconino County Emergency Management during the Slide Fire. He attended Northern Arizona University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and Emergency Management in 2014. Two years later, in 2016, Whitney earned his master’s degree in Emergency Management and Homeland Security from Arizona State University.

Coconino County has dealt with floods and major wildfires in the past decade, so quality, responsive emergency management is very important for the area.