New Douglas County emergency management director touts preparedness [Video]

Douglas County’s new director of its emergency management agency equates her position to being the manager of a great sports team.

Whitney Shipley, 54, succeeds Paul Johnson, who served as the county’s director for 18 years. He announced his retirement in early July.

“Emergency management is somewhat like coaching an all-star team,” Shipley, who previously was Johnson’s top assistant, said in a press release Monday. “We help individual players reach their fullest potential so that in times of emergency, they can come together seamlessly to protect the community and rebuild strong.”

Shipley has served in various capacities within Douglas County since 2007. She began at the Douglas County Health Department as the coordinator of the Cities Readiness Initiative, a program focused on public …