Stephens Co. Moves Closer To Hiring E-911/EMA Director

Stephens County moves yet another step closer to having a new E-911 and EMA director in place.

On Tuesday, the Stephens County Commission unanimously approved hiring Danielle Rhodes of Hampton, Georgia to the joint position of E-911/EMA Director for Stephens County, pending the successful completion of the 14-day public notice period that is underway now.

Last week, Stephens County Administrator Phyllis Ayers announced that Rhodes was the sole finalist under consideration for the job.

Stephens County Commission Chairman Dennis Bell said he feels hiring Rhodes is a good step forward for the county.

“I am looking forward to her coming on board with us,” said Bell. “She has some really good credentials. I think we can move forward with this thing in a positive way.”

According to her resume, Rhodes was most recently the Communications Training Officer at Fayette County E911 Communications from April 2014 to March 2016.

She said in that role, she was responsible for classroom instruction and one-on-one training, as well as applying policies and procedures in the office.

Prior to that, Rhodes was a 911 Dispatcher Supervisor for the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office for nearly seven years and a 911 Dispatcher for nearly six years.

She has also been an assistant EMT instructor at a North Carolina community college and taken a Federal Emergency Management Agency Independent Study Program.

Rhodes has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Emergency and Disaster Management from Western Carolina University and an Associates in Applied Science in Emergency Medical Service.

Rhodes is replacing Denny Folsom as the county’s E-911 and EMA Director. Folsom resigned last month.

Ayers said that Rhodes is expected to start in early June.

According to county officials, her salary will be $50,000 per year.