Putnam County Emergency Management Director Steps Down

Tyler Smith is stepping down as Putnam County Director of Emergency Management.

Smith said he has been thinking about this for a while. He said he has been in emergency services for 38 years.

“Should you continue doing this, because you go to bed at night thinking there could be another tornado coming through or there could be a chemical leak that we have to evacuate thousands of people,” Smith said. “I just think that stepping down was the best decision.”

Smith said it will be a relief to step out of 24/7 service and into the Deputy Director position. He said he looks forward to supporting Brandon Smith who will become the new Director.

Smith said one big factor in his decision was the tornado and the lives that were lost.

“It weighed heavy on my heart,” Smith said.

Smith said in his tenure as Director his life had evolved around planning for emergencies and making sure resources were in place, even when planning his vacations.

“It takes a lot of folks to handle major emergencies like that,” Smith said.

Smith said he looks forward to doing things that he could not do on his old schedule.

“And I just appreciate the community support in all the years,” Smith said.