Are you and your family prepared?
Do you have an Emergency Supply Kit?
No home, car or business should be without one!
For more information check out:
American Red Cross and Do1thing.com
BARRY COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT<
2600 Nashville Road, Hastings, MI. 49058 Phone: 269-945-3697 Fax: 269-945-5303 (Directions)
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Barry County Emergency Management Department is to protect the lives and property of citizens before a disaster strikes through preparedness, training and mitigation, and to reduce human suffering after a disaster strikes through prompt and effective coordination of the County’s response and recovery efforts utilizing the expertise and resources of federal, state, local agencies and voluntary relief organizations.
STAFF
Jim Yarger – Coordinator
Jim was appointed the Coordinator of the Barry County Emergency Management Department in March 2004. As Coordinator, Jim is responsible for the County Emergency Operations Center, maintenance of County Emergency Plans, coordination of Homeland Security grants and local emergency management-homeland security department day to day operations. Jim’s career has primarily been in Emergency Services; he’s currently serving in the fire service in Barry County as he has since 1979, he is currently the Freeport Area Volunteer Fire Departments Fire Chief. Jim is certified as: Firefighter 2, Fire Officer 2, Fire/ Terrorism Instructor, Licensed Medical First Responder, Emergency Vehicle Driving Instructor and ICS instructor. He is a licensed amateur radio operator K8JRY. Jim is a member of the 5thDistrict Regional Homeland Security Board, Barry County Fire Service Association, Barry County Emergency Medical Services Council, Barry County Central Dispatch E911 Tech Advisory Board, Barry County Local Emergency Planning Committee, Western Michigan Fire Chiefs Association, NFPA and the Michigan Emergency Managers Association. Since his appointment Jim has managed a Presidential disaster declaration and several other disasters. ____________________________________________________________________________________________
Tom Miller – Planner
Tom joined Emergency Management in November, 2006. An entrepreneur who operated his own business for 30 years, Tom also spent 28 years with the Leighton Twp Fire Department, gaining experience in HAZMAT operations, Medical First Response, and extensive experience in firefighting (served as Battalion Chief, Training Captain, Fire Officer). Tom serves as a Regional Planner within Michigan’s 5th District. ____________________________________________________________________________________________
James Gorka – Volunteer
Following a noteworthy 30 year Management career with the Eaton Truck Components in Galesburg, Michigan, James Gorka formed the consulting firm that wrote the award-winning 2003 Kalamazoo County Hazard Mitigation Plan – covering all 24 municipalities within Kalamazoo County. Between 2004 and 2010, James was a contract employee of the Kalamazoo County Emergency Management division of the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office where he served in the capacity of a Region Planner – serving the nine-county Region 5. James now donates his time and talents to the Barry County Emergency Management Department.
Page Last Modified: January 25, 2012 at 10:23 am
