HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — A St. Petersburg native and 27-year-veteran of the United States Army is now the man in charge of emergency management operations across the bay in Hillsborough County.
- Tim Dudley retired from U.S. Army as Sergeant Major at U.S. Special Operations Command
- Dudley previously supervised staffing, planning at Pinellas Emergency Management
- Hillsborough revamping emergency management after problems revealed by Hurricane Irma
- More Hillsborough County stories
New county Emergency Management Operations Director Tim Dudley says he's ready to lead in a time of crisis.
"If something like Katrina hits this community, it's an awesome responsibility that I don't take lightly, but I'm ready for ensuring that we are prepared," Dudley said.
Dudley takes over at a time when the county has revamped its emergency management efforts. Hurricane Irma revealed problems in the way Hillsborough dealt with the storms.
Dudley, who started in April, said there's nothing to worry about now.
"The leadership has put me in a position to ensure that emergency management is ready, but Hillsborough County is ready and we can respond to any and all hazards," Dudley said.
Before coming to Hillsborough, he spent the last few years supervising emergency management staff and planning strategies in Pinellas County.
Dudley said his training in the military will also help with the job. He retired from the U.S. Army as Operations Sergeant Major at U.S. Special Operations Command in Tampa.
Though tensions may rise if a hurricane approaches, Dudley said part of his role will be to make sure there's a sense of calm.
"This is a high-stress environment, so as we move through the process, it's our responsibility to maintain that level of calm and control so that we can move all the partners who are here through the process," Dudley said. "We can relay that to our citizens, as well. It's going to be okay. But it's going to be a new normal but it's going to be okay."
Dudley will earn an annual salary of $107,244.80 a year.