The Selma Times-Journal

At 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, the chair of Emergency Management Agency (EMA) director was left vacant.

On Thursday, Feb. 1, that seat was filled by new EMA Director Pam Cook, former deputy director.

“I was very excited,” Cook said of getting the news about her new position.

After serving five years as Dallas County’s EMA Director, Brett Howard accepted a job with the state EMA in Pike County – his home. Cook was serving as interim director.

Cook has worked with the EMA for a year and a half and has many trainings and certificates under her belt. Her official first day as director is Monday.

“I’m going to do the best job I can do,” she said. “I care about this job. I care about EMA.”

According to county officials, the position of director is not an appointed one, but one that is applied for and filled based upon merit.

Cook had many congratulatory calls and visits on Friday afternoon, some of which brought tears to her eyes.

“She’s very qualified for the job,” said Dallas County Probate Judge Kim Ballard. “I’m proud for her. I feel like she will do a good job.”

Cook says she is currently working on a flu pandemic plan with the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and is excited to get started on the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program, for which she will receive training Feb. 6-8.

“I want to go out in the community and get people prepared,” she said.

The position of deputy director has not been filled. As of Friday, the job had not been posted.