The Chatham County government has consolidated two of its public safety functions into one unified department. Effective Monday, the county’s Emergency Communications and Emergency Management merged into the Emergency Operations Department.

“This realignment strengthens coordination, streamlines operations, and supports a more integrated approach to preparedness, response, and recovery across Chatham County,” read a release from the county government.

In addition, the county has named Mike Reitz as director of the new department. Reitz had been the county’s Emergency Communications Director since 2017. Steve Newton, the county’s Emergency Management Director, announced his retirement earlier in December.

“Anyone that knows Steve would agree with me that he has this uncanny ability to remain calm, and to perhaps become even calmer and more stoic in times of crisis,” Chatham County Commissioner Karen Howard told 97.9 The Hill Tuesday. “That, to me, is such an amazing characteristic and a wonderful skill for someone in that space… really a great guy. A wonderful spirit, and he was really well-respected and loved by the people who worked with him.”

“Steve’s leadership has been instrumental in building the strong emergency response foundation we have today,” said Chatham County Manager Bryan Thompson, “and we are confident that under Mike’s guidance, the new Emergency Operations Department will continue to excel in service to Chatham County.”

Chatham County Emergency Management Director Mike Reitz. (Image via Chatham County)

According to the county, Emergency Management and Emergency Communications had previously operated as one unified department before splitting into separate entities. The county’s release noted Newton’s retirement forced it to reevaluate “how these closely connected functions can best serve the community into the future.”

“Trying to integrate the two [departments] while you had two people of the same rank would have been challenging,” said Howard. “I think the timing was excellent.”

 

Featured image via Chapel Hill Media Group/Brighton McConnell

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