Last week, the Dallas County Emergency Management Agency said good-bye to its director, Brett Howard.

By the end of the week, however, the position had been filled – by Pam Cook, former deputy director for the department.

After serving five years as Dallas County’s EMA director, Brett Howard took 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 gotten many trainings and certificates under her belt. Her official first day as director is today.

Dallas County Probate Judge Kim Ballard said Cook is “very qualified for the job.

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.

It’s refreshing to see the efficiency with which the position was filled – and by someone who knows the department.

We wish Cook well in the new endeavor and ask the community to support her

as the new EMA director.