Eight Finalists Remain For The Escambia Public Safety Director Job. Only One Is Local.

May 4, 2020

Eight candidates remain for the Escambia County Public Safety Director job, including one Escambia County resident.

The eight  interviewed last week via video with all Escambia County department directors. They are:

  • Russell Beatty – Freeport, FL
  • Carl Flores – Ponchatoula, LA
  • Eric Gilmore – Century, FL
  • Allen Lewis – Virginia, MN
  • Patrick McKeon – Brandon, FL
  • Jason Rogers – Muncie, IN
  • Kent Studnicka – Cook County, IL
  • Michael Ware – Cleveland, TN

Gilmore joined Escambia County in January as emergency manager. He previously served as the regional emergency response advisor at the Florida Department of Health, where he trained and advised fire, law enforcement, and EMS officials on disaster response protocol, tactical training and the Incident Command System. Gilmore also served as a planner and public health preparedness director for the FDOH from 2004 to 2008, and is currently district chief for the McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.

There were originally 114 applicants for the public safety director job. That list was cut by Escambia County to 49 qualified applicants.

There will be another round of interviews with a shorter list of finalists. There’s no word on when Escambia County Administrator Janice Gilley will make her final selection.

Interim Escambia County Public Safety Director John Dosh is retiring.

NorthEscambia.com photo.

Comments

10 Responses to “Eight Finalists Remain For The Escambia Public Safety Director Job. Only One Is Local.”

  1. Rasheed Jackson on May 7th, 2020 1:42 pm

    @ Matt
    ” Hire out of town” Why not hire the best person for the job? Hiring a person because they don’t live in an area is just as bad as hiring a person because of who they know. Best to hire for what they know and their ability to execute their duties. And if that person happens to a local resident then so be it!
    Eric is a fine individual and would make a great Escambia County Public Safety Director.

  2. TUMOM on May 7th, 2020 12:58 pm

    Good luck Eric!! You are perfect for the job!!!!

  3. V on May 4th, 2020 10:10 pm

    Russell Beatty and Eric Gilmore are great choices. Both have been around emergency services for a while. Both know their stuff.

  4. Me on May 4th, 2020 8:12 pm

    My vote is your Carl Flores. The way he rebuilt New Orleans EMS post Katrina was nothing short of a miracle. He’s an excellent leader and a veteran of the field.

  5. jerry on May 4th, 2020 10:54 am

    go eric.

  6. Matt on May 4th, 2020 10:14 am

    Hire out of area. Time to get rid of this “good Ol’ boy” system.

  7. Mark on May 4th, 2020 10:01 am

    I hope Eric gets it. He is truly a good person.

  8. Mary on May 4th, 2020 7:53 am

    Eric Gilmore would be a GREAT choice! Eric is a local and would do a great job..I have known him for years and find him to honest, trustworthy and dedicated to his work.

  9. Citizen on May 4th, 2020 3:10 am

    betcha Gilmore gets it

  10. David Huie Green on May 4th, 2020 2:51 am

    You would be hard pressed to find better than Eric.

    David for better people
    (like Eric)