Although there are differences from where he currently serves, the new emergency management director for Cole County/Jefferson City said having to be prepared and well-supported in a disaster situation doesn't change, no matter where you are.
The Cole County Commission announced this week the hiring of Nicholas Tietsort as the new emergency management director for Cole County/Jefferson City.
He will take over emergency management operations Oct. 18.
Tietsort will take over for Sierra Thomas, who resigned from the position Sept. 8. Cole County Presiding Commissioner Sam Bushman said Thomas left on good terms and was pursuing other interests.
Thomas was hired in December 2019 to replace Bill Farr, who retired from the position in February.
Farr is back with the county on a part-time basis and will help during the transition.
"I'm very lucky to have Bill be there while I'm getting up to speed," Tietsort said. "Bill was always considered a mentor by many people in emergency management across the state who you could reach out to for advice."
Tietsort said he got a "sneak peek" into what emergency management does in 2008 when flooding hit in Canton.
"My home was 10 feet under water from the Mississippi River," Tietsort said. "When a river decides to flood, it doesn't waste time, and I know that's the same type of issue Jefferson City faces with the Missouri River."
Since 2018, Tietsort has served as emergency management director for Audrain County. His prior work experience has been in law enforcement as a deputy sheriff with the Audrain County Sheriff's Office and as a police officer with the Ashland Police Department.
Cole County officials noted Tietsort is Emergency Management Performance Grant qualified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and also has achieved FEMA professional series qualification.
"I'm going to have to get familiar with the intricacies of the capital and working with our state partners," Tietsort said. "In emergency management, we have the opportunity to reach out to the community and connect with people who we may need to contact in case they can help with services we need in an emergency. You have to know one another in fair weather to be able to work together when the storms come."