On Thursday, Bridgeport’s Director of Emergency Management became the new director of the Office of Emergency Management for Harrison County. Laura Pysz, who has worked for the city for several years, accepted the offer for the position made by the Harrison County Commission.

 

The Commission chose Pysz over six other candidates at the request of a committee assigned to handle the hiring. The committee that interviewed the candidates included Commission President Ron Watson, Commissioner David Hinkle, Harrison County Administrator Willie Parker, Community Corrections Director Gary Hamrick , and Grants and Special Projects Director Gina Jones.

 

“I am thrilled they chose me for this position. I know there was some very good competition in the pool of candidates, including some very experienced people,” said Pysz.  “I think my work in the field was able to speak for itself and the success I’ve had in my current position gave them the faith to allow me to handle the county’s emergency needs.”

 

Pysz’s responsibilities will now be Harrison County. The responsibilities will still include Bridgeport.

 

The career path locally began in Bridgeport in 2012 when Pysz began volunteering in the city. In 2013, she was hired by Bridgeport and continued to progress into the emergency services department until she landed her current position with the city.

 

“I’ve been very lucky here in Bridgeport because I couldn’t be happier and I’m fortunate to say I love my job,” said Pysz. “I have a job where I get to help people, protect them and provide assistance in their time of need. Now, I’ll be at the county level and will be able to assist more people.”

 

The jump will be substantial. In Bridgeport, Pysz is responsible for 11 square miles and 8,400 people. At the Harrison County level, the numbers jump to 417 square miles and 69,000 residents.

 

The job responsibilities will remain largely the same. She’ll handle mitigation efforts, practices and preparedness activities and planning for any type of manmade or natural disasters as well as keeping working relationships with other jurisdictions and state emergency offices and other duties. And she’ll continue to work on landing grants for emergency service agencies.

 

“I now can help more police and fire departments throughout the county. I’ve never been shy about going after grants that are needed,” said Pysz.

 

Although the county has a grant writer in Jones, Pysz will work with her to secure dollars through various Homeland Security Department grant programs.

 

“I’m looking forward to this opportunity,” she said.

 

The new 911 Center in Bridgeport will eventually be her new home. Pysz will begin her new position July 10.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Laura Pysz assisting in Greenbrier County during recent flooding, while she's shown below during a flood relief effort that took place in Bridgeport.