Farewell to a newfound friend

By Staff
Jason Cannon, FCT Publisher
When I first arrived in Russellville last year as publisher of The Franklin County Times, my first several weeks on the job were spent meeting and greeting our community leaders.
One of the first people I met was Franklin County EMA Director Carol Frederick.
I've always enjoyed the interaction with public safety officers that this job affords, and while our relationship was very brief I have enjoyed working with Ms. Frederick.
Her 44 years of employment speaks volumes of her dedication and her work-ethic.
She began her career as secretary for the Civil Defense Program and in 1979 she was appointed Director of the Franklin County EMA.
Under her tenure the county has organized the Franklin County Fire and Rescue Association, Technical Response Team and the Franklin County Dive Team.
She has helped secure grant funding and equipment for the Special Response Team and law enforcement agencies across the area from the Department of Homeland Security.
These are just a few of her accomplishments.
I think one of her greatest feats is adapting her office to operate under the new, strict guidelines of the Department of Homeland Security.
After September 11, 2001, the face of civil defense and emergency management changed dramatically. Strategies were questioned across the board and the way the United States handled Emergency Management was revamped.
With the creation of the Department of Homeland Security came more federal dollars for local projects. However, if your county didn't have an EMA Director that was on the ball, you largely got passed over.
Ms. Frederick has helped funnel in countless federal and state dollars, that among other things, has helped to construct a community shelter for the Town of Vina. Other similar shelters are planned around the county.
Finding a replacement for Ms. Frederick will not be easy. Saying goodbye to a long-time friend and co-worker is never easy but the job description has also evolved. It will be a challenge to find someone to meet the qualifications but it is certainly possible.
With so many new policies and federal regulations, many colleges now offer majors in public safety, which are designed to groom the civil defense and emergency management directors of the future. But those college kids have some might big shoes to fill.
After 44 years of staying on pins and needles and preparing the county for the worst, I would say that Ms. Frederick has well earned her retirement.
She has been a great EMA Director and is truly a wonderful lady that I'm glad to have gotten to know. She's served Franklin County well and I hope she enjoys her retirement more than she ever imagined.