New Emergency Management Agency Director Named In Cherokee

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — Daniel Westbrook began his leadership of Cherokee County’s Emergency Management Agency as its director on Monday.

Westbrook has served Cherokee County for the last 16 years, with the latter third of his career with the Emergency Management Agency. Westbrook attained numerous certifications in Emergency
Management, including Advanced Certified Emergency Manager and a Professional Development Series Certificate through FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute. Prior to being selected after an open search, he was the assistant emergency management director and was named interim director in June.

“My work with Cherokee EMA has always been more than a job for me,” Westbrook said. “It is a
commitment to a community that I love, a community where generations of my family have built their lives and live today. Protecting this community is a task I embrace with enthusiasm. I appreciate Director (Dana) Martin’s confidence in me to lead Cherokee EMA.”

“Daniel is an incredibly responsible, honest and hardworking individual with an extensive knowledge of emergency management,” said Public Services Agency Director Dana Martin. “He has a positive mindset and sincere dedication to serving the citizens of Cherokee County, and has built great working relationships throughout the county and public safety that will support him in this role.”

The Emergency Management Agency is responsible for the county’s Local Emergency Operations Plan, as well as emergency preparedness, response, mitigation and recovery for the citizens of the county.

EMA serves as the lead agency in the Emergency Operations Center, which houses all agencies with emergency management functions during disaster situations, both natural and man made. The department works directly with the National Weather Service, Georgia Emergency Management Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency, among other organizations. It also oversees Cherokee County’s Project Lifesaver program, outdoor sirens and Community Emergency Response Team.