Adair and Guthrie County will be merging their Emergency Management Commissions in just a few days. Bob Kempf, who has been part-time Emergency Management Coordinator for both counties, will take on the unified position full-time starting July 1. Kempf says the effect on emergency cohesion and the cost savings for both counties will be positive.

“All the departments have been working very closely together for a long time, so there is no reason to expect fall off in service. If anything it will get even better.”

The change has been coordinated with the state, Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency and other partner organizations. Kempf says residents of both counties will see few noticeable changes in emergency management operations.