July 13, 2023
Skagit County Announces New Department of Emergency Management Chief and Two New DEM Staff
The Skagit Board of County Commissioners has approved adding two full time employee (FTE) positions to the Skagit Department of Emergency Management (DEM) for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster mitigation response work. One of the FTEs will be transferred from the County Planning & Development Services Department and the other will be an FTE funded with American Rescue Plan Act revenue through December 31, 2024. The Commissioners have committed to funding this position beyond 2024 and will not be requesting any additional funding from our partners to begin this new program.
As the two new positions were developed, DEM Chief Bob Dolhanyk recognized the importance of the new project and offered to fill the role of Disaster Mitigation and Recovery Supervisor. Bob spent several years working in this field during the Oso slide event. Bob will provide strategic management, oversight, and implementation of disaster management programs, including the administration of the Community Rating System which supports community floodplain management practice and other disaster recovery grants and funding compliance programs.
With Bob moving to a new position, the County conducted a thorough search of qualified candidates to be the next DEM Chief. We are pleased to announce Julie de Losada, previously with the Skagit County Public Health Department, has accepted the position and will be starting next Monday, July 17th.
Julie de Losada has over eighteen years of experience working in various positions in Skagit County. Julie most recently was the Senior Analyst for the Skagit County Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Team and was instrumental in the County’s efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Julie has an extensive background in emergency preparedness and has worked together with our DEM staff through numerous types of emergencies in our County. The Skagit County Commissioners are confident in the success of the Department under Julie’s continued leadership.
The Commissioners would like to congratulate Julie on her new position, and we thank her and Bob for their continued dedication to public service.
|
