COUNTY SEEKS EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS CHIEF

The deputy emergency preparedness director and a National Guard veteran were the first to be interviewed for the job of Cape Girardeau County emergency preparedness director.

Martha Vandivort, who has been deputy director since 1979, and David M. Hitt, who served coordinated mobilization and emergency training for the National Guard's 1140th Engineers Battalion, were interviewed Thursday by Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones and Commissioners Larry Bock and Joe Gambill.

"We've received 10 resumes, and after we've interviewed these two we'll decide whether we want to interview any others," Jones said.

The director will replace Brian Miller, who died of a heart attack Feb. 15. Miller served as the county's first and only emergency preparedness director and was credited with building a strong preparedness program.

"This is kind of a big deal, at least for us," Jones said. "Our emergency management program is one of the top in the state."

Jones said commissioners plan to add safety training coordination to the emergency preparedness coordinator's job duties.

Vandivort, 50, is a native of Cape County. She started working in radio sales and repair, then became a dispatcher for the Cape County Sheriff's Department.

Hitt, 49, retired from the National Guard in 1994 after 20 years of military service. He sells real estate and is a member of the Jackson Board of Aldermen.

During the 1993 flood, Hitt coordinated National Guard response in Southeast Missouri. He retired as a master sergeant.

Jones said commissioners will have a better idea of the timeframe for finding a new director by next week.