The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WALLA WALLA - Walla Walla County Commissioners have appointed Dr. Harvey Crowder, Public Health Administrator for the county, to serve as the interim Walla Walla County Emergency Management Director to oversee the operations of the department. The temporary appointment was made during the commissioners' regular meeting on May 2, 2011.

Gay Ernst, who formerly held the position of director, resigned from that position effective April 29, 2011. Abbie VanDonge will continue in her role of assistant department director and other staff assignments will remain unchanged.

Crowder's experience includes duties as the Assistant Chief, Medical Readiness United States Air Forces in Europe, Bioterrorism Coordinator and Assistant Manager for Public Health Preparedness for the Oregon Health Division, and Regional Emergency Response Coordinator for Washington State Public Health Region 8. He has been involved in planning, exercise development, and emergency responses in his 25 year career in the United States Air Force and at the state, regional and local level, including involvement in every level of emergency management planning and activities since his arrival in Walla Walla County.

Dr. Crowder will assume the temporary duty with oversight responsibilities effective immediately. Compensation for the additional duties Crowder is undertaking was set at $770/month. The county commissioners will be evaluating the needs of the department before proceeding with seeking a new director.