Starke County Commissioners Terminate EMA Director

The Starke County Commissioners are looking to hire a couple of department heads. They voted last night to terminate Emergency Management Agency Director Jacob Lippner, after being advised by the EMA Advisory Board that they have the authority to do so.

President of the Commissioners Don Binkley said the position was not a good fit for the county or for Lippner but did not elaborate.

The commissioners had tasked Lippner with oversight of the county’s radio system for emergency responders in addition to his state-mandated preparedness and response duties.

Until his replacement is hired, Starke County EMS Office Manager Marylynn Richie will handle EMA communications, and Indiana Department of Homeland Security District 2 Coordinator Ted Bombagetti will assist the county should an emergency occur.

Binkley says no timeline has been set to hire a new EMA director. Applications can be submitted to the commissioners in care of the auditor’s office.

The commissioners are also looking to hire an information technology director for the county. Brian Pinson has submitted his resignation but will still be working for another couple of weeks. Applications for that position can also be submitted to the commissioners in care of the auditor’s office.