Zeb Holland has been named Jackson County’s new Emergency Management Director.
“We’d like to congratulate Zeb Holland on becoming our new Emergency Services Director,” said Jackson County Board of Commissioners Chairman Mark Letson, during the board’s October meeting, also thanking the 44 applicants who applied for the position to replace outgoing EM Director, Todd Dillard.
Holland began his emergency services career a decade ago as a firefighter and recently served as Jackson County’s GIS mapping specialist. He holds a four-year degree in emergency management, has responded to major local disasters, and completed extensive training and certifications.
“It’s a pretty big honor, big department head level job and comes with a lot of responsibility,” Holland said. “I am truly thankful to be chosen to serve Jackson County and its citizens as the new emergency management director.”
“My top priority will always be ensuring safety and preparedness of our community before, during, and after any emergency or disaster,” he said. “I’m grateful for my education and training that has helped me get here.”
Looking ahead, Holland outlined several objectives for the Emergency Management agency. He plans to assess current staffing levels and make adjustments to better meet the county’s needs. Professional development and local training opportunities are key aspects of his vision. Holland is determined to offer more training classes within Jackson County, reducing the need for fire, EMS, and law enforcement personnel to travel for required certifications. Partnering with Southwestern Community College, these courses will support local firefighters, law enforcement, and paramedics in obtaining and maintaining credentials.
“Our goal is to make Jackson County a hub for emergency services training and resources in Western North Carolina,” Holland explained. He noted that outside resources can take hours or even days to reach the area, so it’s critical to build local capabilities that match standards elsewhere in the state. “It’s our duty and responsibility to ensure that our citizens get the same amount of coverage and skill level that anywhere else in the state gets.”
Holland also highlighted recent initiatives, including reestablishing a partnership with the Mountain Area Healthcare Coalition. This collaboration has brought an oxygen cache to the county’s emergency warehouse, available to all far western counties during disasters.
- Staff Reports