Former Mansfield Fire Chief Mike Bailey was named the interim Emergency Management Agency (EMA) director for Richland County following Keith Markley’s resignation from the position.
During the commissioners’ meeting on Tuesday morning, Bailey expressed his gratitude for being able to take on the new position. “I look at this as an opportunity to step up another notch,” he said. “I served with the city for 32 years and this gives me the opportunity to go county-wide, so it’s a bigger area with more responsibilities.”
He further stated, “My plan of attack is to continue the services that are provided now and maybe step those up a notch. There are a lot of projects that need to be addressed and there are things on the horizon that need to be done and a lot to learn.”
Bailey said in addition to continue providing service to the public, he hopes to maintain an ongoing relationship with all of the EMA employees, as well.
Commissioner Ed Olson expounded the reasoning for Bailey’s title as “interim,” stating that the Board of Commissioners has the appointing authority for the EMA director’s position.
“I think the board needs time to get used to Bailey serving as interim director. Sometime in the future when we’re comfortable with how he works and with his decision-making and management style, then at that time the decision can be made to make the position permanent as director,” said Olson.
To Bailey, he said, “Once you have time to assess what you’re up against, then we need to have a talk as to whether we should go about bringing on an assistant director and in what capacity.”
A Mansfield native, Bailey graduated from Madison High School in 1972. He joined the military in 1973 and served for three years.
Thereafter, he was employed at the Madison Township Fire Department, and in 1977 he joined the Mansfield Fire Department, where he was chief for 32 years.
He said that he is looking forward the position as interim EMA director.
He mentioned that he, Markley, and Jim Southward all used to work together in Madison. “It’s kind of neat and ironic,” he said, with how Markley went on to replace Southward as EMA director, and now he is taking over for Markley.
Bailey is supported by his wife Denise, two daughters Stephanie and Stacie, and five grandchildren.
“I served with the city for 32 years and this gives me the opportunity to go county-wide, so it’s a bigger area with more responsibilities,” said Mike Bailey.
