Chief Hoy takes dual role as Cole County merges EMS and emergency management operations

Jefferson City — Cole County is merging its Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Management Agency in a move that consolidates the role of Emergency Management Director and saves a significant amount of money for the county.

The Cole County Commission has made changes to Chief Eric Hoy’s duties, making him an for both agencies while maintaining his role as EMS Chief.

“We hope by adopting the emergency management function into our agency that it gives us the opportunity to prepare and build a more resilient community outside of our normal day-to-day emergency operations," Chief Hoy said.

The county had an extensive search for an Emergency Management Director since Nicholas Tietsort left in November 2024.

Former director Bill Farr stepped in as Interim Director, but he is limited to 1,000 hours per year, or his 2020 retirement benefits would be revoked.

EMS Chief of Services Sam Gibson will now also take on the role of Deputy Chief of Emergency Management

Mac Kennedy will become Division Chief of Emergency Management after serving as a Battalion Chief since 2020.

“What we want the citizens to know is that the emergency management functions are being fulfilled," said Chief Hoy. "They're going to continue to be fulfilled at the same level. And, you know, we're going to have that transition and the same staff are going to continue to be in place.”

Kennedy and Gibson will both see raises in their salary. This saves the county about $50,000 out of the $62,000 salary of the Agency Director.

Hoy said the change has been in conversations for about two months. The County will test this setup for one year with a formal evaluation at the end.