Limestone County Emergency Management Agency

Staff

Director, Spencer Black

    Spencer Black has served as Director of the Limestone County Emergency Management Agency since 1971. Through the years, he has received extensive training in emergency management, completing courses with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, the University of Alabama, Auburn University, John C. Calhoun State Community College, the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Shelton State Community College and the Alabama Association of Emergency Managers. Spencer has received recognition for his contributions to the citizens of Limestone County from Athens State College, the Department of Human Resources, the American Red Cross, AEMA, the State of Alabama, the American Legion Auxiliary and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Spencer is a member of the Alabama Association of Emergency Managers and the International Association of Emergency Management.

    Spencer’s responsibilities include management of the emergency management program and providing assurance to the citizens of Limestone County that the EMA staff, equipment and facility are ready to respond to all hazards. Spencer provides overall direction and control during emergency operations and during drills, which are conducted regularly to test emergency response plans. Spencer serves as Point of Contact for Homeland Security in Limestone County and also serves as Safety Director for the Limestone County Commission.

Planner/Assistant Director, Rita White

     Rita White has served as EMA Planner/Assistant Director since 1986.   Rita received a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Athens State College in 1993.   She has received training from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, the Alabama Department of Homeland Security, the Central United States Earthquake Consortium, the Alabama Department of Public Health, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Funeral Directors Association and New Horizons Computer Learning Center.   Rita has received certificates of recognition from the Alabama Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross.   Rita is a member of the Alabama Association of Emergency Managers.

    Rita’s duties include writing and revising emergency plans for all hazards, training volunteers and emergency responders to respond to all types of hazardous situations and preparing and maintaining budget and expenditure records.   Rita serves as operations officer during emergency situations and drills.

Public Information Officer/Assistant Director, Daphne Ellison

    Daphne Ellison joined the EMA staff as Public Information Officer in October 2000. Daphne previously worked in the Limestone County Courthouse in the Probate Judge's office.

    Daphne serves as Public Information Officer during drills and emergency situations, providing critical information to the public through local media. She has received training from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, the Alabama Department of Homeland Security, the Alabama Department of Public Health, and the Tennessee Valley Authority. She is a member of the Alabama Association of Emergency Managers. Daphne also serves as Secretary of Safety for the Limestone County Commission.