The search for Lambton County's new emergency management coordinator is nearing the finish line.
CAO Ron Van Horne said around 60 people applied before Monday's deadline. He said they'll hope to have their new coordinator in place by March 11.
"We will be doing interviews sometime over the next couple of weeks here, so if everything goes according to plan, I think we would be in a position to announce a new candidate in the next two or three weeks," he said.
The new CEMC will be taking over for Mark Wetering, who's been in that role since its inception in 2005. Wetering also spent nearly 30 years with the county.
Van Horne said the coordinator is responsible for the development, implementation, maintenance and evaluation of the county's emergency management program. He said position comes with a wide variety of duties, such as working with risk-based provincial programs aimed at reducing risk or having to deal with an emergency.
"We hold emergency preparedness sessions at the county, and we'll help the local municipalities with any planning they want as well," said Van Horne. "We also, of course, cover the issue of response in the event of a major incident -- like a snowstorm, chemical release or tornado, those sorts of things -- and recovery, how to get back on your feet once the emergency is over."
Van Horne said during the application process, they typically get a very heavy turnout from local residents, as well as a number of applicants from outside the community.
