White Co. EMA Has New Director

Suzi Cash Haston has been named the Interim Director of White County’s Emergency Management Agency.

County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson said Haston’s experience made her the obvious choice to fill the void in the agency.

“She serves currently as our director of 911,” Robinson said. “She was kind of naturally the person to put in as our interim. She’s already in that world, and she’s doing a great job.”

Robinson said because of concerns over COVID-19 and cleaning up from the March storm, finding a permanent director is not a huge priority for the county.

“It’s in great hands right now,” Robinson said. “I don’t have a plan to do anything different. That will come in probably in August or September.”

Haston takes over from long-time director Jimmy Savage, who worked as an unpaid volunteer during his tenure. That is something Robinson said he hopes to change.

“This is a very important position,” Robinson said. “I don’t know that we’ll find another Jimmy Savage that’s willing to give of his time. It may have to end up becoming a paid position. That will have to go through the County Commission to budget the money for it. That is the way I’m looking at going.”

Robinson said he was thankful for Savage’s dedication as EMA director.

“Director Savage basically got us to where we are today,” Robinson said. “He brought in a lot of grants and a lot of equipment. He developed a lot of the protocols we use today.”