The director of the Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management is stepping down later this month.
Chet Hunter is moving to St. Louis to become assistant director of Emergency Management at Washington University.
Hunter became the OEM’s director in July of 2014. He is responsible for the overall operation of the office and supervising all command staff. That includes maintaining the emergency operations center during times of disaster, and coordinating with local officials in response to disaster.
“To say that this office is unique in the world of emergency management would be an understatement," Hunter said in a statement. "The level of experience and knowledge in the best practices of emergency management and disaster response that the staff here possess is a rarity I think you would be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to work for the citizens of Greene County in this capacity,” he says.
Greene County Presiding Commissioner Bob Cirtin expressed the commission’s admiration for Hunter, noting he has led the office with a great deal of distinction and dedication.
An interim emergency management director will be named upon Hunter’s departure, which is effective Aug. 26.