Ellen Haynes Named AAEM President

Published 10:53 am Tuesday, December 23, 2008

At the closing of this year’s Annual Alabama Association of Emergency Managers conference, newly elected 2009 officers were sworn in and Ellen Haynes of St. Clair County was happy to take the oath. Ms. Haynes was elected AAEM President.

“I am excited about the opportunity to serve the citizens of the State of Alabama as the 2008-2009 AAEM President. I look forward to the coming year and the challenges we face, affording us the opportunity to serve and protect others,” states Ms. Haynes.

Ms. Haynes is the Director of the St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency (EMA). She joined St. Clair County EMA in 1993 as an office assistant and was promoted to deputy director in 1999 and was named director in February 2002. Before moving into the emergency management field, she worked in communications.

“The work and mission of the Alabama Association of Emergency Managers (AAEM) is important to the personal and professional growth of the county and state of emergency managers,” says Ms. Haynes. Recently, the AAEM coordinated with the Association of County Commissions of Alabama (ACCA) and the Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) to establish professional minimum standards for emergency management directors in Alabama. She continues, “In the coming year, the Board and members of the AAEM will work together to continue training, planning and being proactive in all phases of our programs.”

Ms. Haynes emergency management experience covers all hazards, including severe weather, hazardous materials and public health hazards that may affect St. Clair County. She serves on the Alabama County Commissioners Association’s Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee, St. Clair County American Red Cross Advisory Board and a response team that provides support to South Alabama counties during hurricane season.

In efforts to improve community safety and response capability, Ms. Haynes continues to educate herself through courses offered by the AAEM, Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP), Argonne National Laboratory, AEMA and other emergency preparedness agencies.

As St. Clair County EMA director, she successfully coordinated with the St. Clair County Baptist Disaster Relief Team, Hands-On and the United Way to establish St. Clair County’s Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD). Ms. Haynes says, “VOAD will enhance local public safety by standing ready to work together to meet local needs during and after a disaster.

The Alabama Association of Emergency Managers is a statewide organization representing emergency management in Alabama. AAEM seeks to advocate strong emergency preparedness programs adequate for the defense of our counties, foster fraternal relations between emergency management personnel at all levels of government, establish an effective alliance between local EMA offices and other agencies of state and local government that have emergency preparedness responsibilities for the exchange of ideas and concerns, and promote professionalism among emergency management personnel by establishing performance standards and encouraging continuing education. AAEM is an affiliate organization of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama.