Willis Hired To Manage EMS Efforts
By Karen Gould

Sally Willis is the new emergency services coordinator for the county.

Sally Willis of Cedarville will step into the role of Mackinac County Emergency Services coordinator. Her first day on the job will be January 15, although she plans to stop into the courthouse a few days early to meet people and tour the county facilities.

"I'm really excited," said the 2006 Northern Michigan University graduate, who beat out 12 other candidates for the job.

The position was vacated in November when Miki Della- Moretta of St. Ignace resigned to move downstate. Since then, Bryce Tracy, the county's 9-1-1 coordinator, has assumed the priority responsibilities of the job.

Ms. Willis met with commissioners for an initial interview and again at the end of December, when the field was narrowed to three candidates. County commissioners voted to hire Ms. Willis during their January 2 meeting.

"It's always been a passion of mine to help people," said Ms. Willis. "To continue on is great. I love people."

Commissioner Chair Dawn Nelson said the board was looking for an individual with education, experience in emergency preparedness, grant writing knowledge, and people skills. Ms. Willis, she noted, met all of the qualifications.

Beginning salary is $13 an hour for a 30-hour work week.

Ms. Willis has a Bachelor of Science degree in health education with a minor in social welfare. She is now working part time on a master's degree in social work at Marquette college.

She is formerly the Bay Mills Health Center public health emergency preparedness health educator, helping families plan for potential emergencies like fires, power blackouts, and severe weather situations.

"I grew fond of working with people in emergency situations," she said of her past job.

She is a certified crisis responder for post traumatic stress disorder and has trained in emergency preparedness. She studied grant writing at Northern Michigan University and was a volunteer fundraiser for the NMU public television station.

Ms. Willis is from Sault Ste. Marie and moved to Cedarville in June.

"I really like it here," she said. "It's a beautiful community."

She will commute to her office on the second floor of the Mackinac County Courthouse in St. Ignace.

"I do expect to get very involved with the community," she said.

Ms. Willis will be responsible for coordinating and planning county wide efforts for emergency management and disaster preparedness, coordinating with local, county, and state agencies and businesses.