Winkler takes reins as Cape County's emergency director

Mark Winkler is the new director of Cape Girardeau County's emergency management agency, or EMA, although he says he's more of a coordinator than a director: he coordinates emergency preparedness, response and recovery, he said by phone Thursday, and he brings with him 28 years of experience as a regional coordinator with the state emergency management agency, or SEMA.

He's gone from overseeing 13 counties as Region E coordinator for SEMA, to one, he said, and he works much more closely with his leadership, seeing the county commissioners daily rather than monthly or quarterly.

Winkler worked for the state for 28 years, he said, and is enjoying the transition from state to county.

He's learned a lot, he said, and is looking forward to bringing that knowledge base to Cape Girardeau County.

In addition to emergency management coordination, Winkler also is responsible for coordinating the 911 system.

Commissioner Charlie Herbst said Cape Girardeau County's 911 system costs more to operate than it receives in revenue from a tax on landline phone service.

But earlier this month, Gov. Mike Parson signed a bill into law allowing counties to create a ballot measure to collect other sources of revenue.

Herbst said plans are still in early stages, but more information will be forthcoming soon, potentially within the next month or so.

The county already had planned to combine two of its three 911 dispatch centers: the county's center and the city of Jackson's, Herbst said. That will save on equipment replacement costs and on maintenance of two facilities, he added.

Winkler serves on the county's 911 advisory board, along with representatives from public safety and emergency response departments. The board doesn't have spending power, Herbst said, but does make recommendations to the commissioners on how to allocate the budget.

Winkler does have some goals with his position.

One area EMA can pursue is increased preventive measures, such as elevating roadways so they don't flood, Winkler said.

Increasing awareness of all threats that may come, and what to do in the event of a disaster, is also important, Winkler said.

"We need to continue existing coordinated response efforts in this county," Winkler said, adding the rural fire departments, cities of Cape Girardeau and Jackson, and the county all work together very well.

"It's really just a repeating of common sense: keep practicing what works," Winkler said.

mniederkorn@semissourian.com

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