COUNTY HIRES EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COORDINATOR

JACKSON -- David Hitt, who worked during natural disasters in the region with the Missouri National Guard, will be handling emergency preparedness for Cape Girardeau County.

On Monday Hitt was hired as Cape Girardeau County's emergency preparedness coordinator. Martha Vandivort, who has volunteered for years with the county's emergency preparedness office, was hired as deputy director.

Hitt is a real estate agent with Heartland Realty in Jackson. He takes over the new job April 1 at an annual salary of $20,279.

The county's emergency operations coordinator, Brian Miller, died Feb. 15, after a heart attack.

Hitt said his first duties will be to meet with volunteer fire chiefs and weather-spotters in the county. He also hopes to coordinate additional shelters and volunteer teams to man the shelters in case of a disasters.

As deputy director, Vandivort will assist Hitt. She also will take on responsibilities of safety officer for the county. That job is being done by a juvenile officer.

County Commissioner Joe Gambill said that with the addition of Vandivort the county will take a more aggressive approach to safety in the county. Vandivort will earn $18,409 a year.