Director of Laurens County Emergency Management and Laurens County 911 Announces Retirement

County Administrator Thomas Higgs announced at Tuesday’s council meeting that Laurens County Emergency Management Director, Joey Avery would be retiring. Council voted to authorize the administrator to post, execute a search, interview and hire a new emergency management/911 director.

According the Laurens County website, Avery was named Director of the Laurens County Emergency Management Agency on October 2008.  He  has been the Director of Laurens County 911 since December 16, 1991. His retirement will be effective May 31st.

The Buzz reached out to County Council Chairman Brown Patterson for comment.

“Joey Avery has boldly served this county for 30 years and 5 months. That service and dedication to this county and its citizens is to be commended. Joey has seen this county through many emergencies and wrote the book on 911 service here in the county,” said Patterson. “There is no doubt in my mind that Laurens County is a better place today because of the hard work and selfless service of Mr Avery. He will be missed in the office but I hope he has a long and joyous retirement”

The role of emergency management is to protect the citizens from the effects of disasters, both natural and man made. The local Office of Emergency Management works to identify and analyze the hazards that may face Laurens County and develop contingency plans for each hazard. The plans are regularly  tested, refined and tested again, all with the goal of protecting or saving  lives and property.

The job opening is expected to be posted immediately.