KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Kalamazoo County commissioners have agreed to realign the organization of the Office of Emergency Management to make it more responsive to the aftermath of local disasters.
Commissioners say the office has proven repeatedly they can handle major disaster response like the Enbridge oil spill, the 2015 pile up on I-94, PFAS in Parchment, and May’s tornado in Portage. All of those disasters made national headlines.
Commissioners felt former OEM Mike Corfman and Sheriff Rick Fuller don’t have the resources to deal with the bureaucracy and pursue disaster aid following calamities.
Here is vice chair John Taylor.
County Administrator Kevin Catlin will assume oversite for the operation but says he will leave disaster response to the experts.
Corfman has taken a scheduled retirement.
Undersheriff Jim VanDyken will oversee the operation until a new director can be hired.
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