Lincoln County Emergency Management Director Jim Sharp has been named as the next emergency management director for Warren County, replacing the retired Mike Daniels and bringing more than 20 years of experience in the profession.

Sharp was selected for the job following a candidate search conducted by the heads of multiple emergency agencies and the county commission. He lives in the Warrenton area, and has previously served as a deputy emergency director in Warren County, as well as a board member for the Warrenton Fire Protection District.

As the emergency management director in Lincoln County, Sharp helped lead the response to severe flooding in 2019  and the COVID response in 2020. He also maintains roles in numerous regional health and safety organizations, and is active in community disaster education.

Sharp will begin his full-time role in the county administration on March 10, with a salary of about $46,800, according to Presiding County Commissioner Joe Gildehaus. The commissioner said Sharp’s existing relationships and community outreach, combined with his experience, made him an appealing choice for emergency director.

“I called some of the schools and he’s very involved with (programs at) the schools. That impressed me,” Gildehaus said. “Calling around to emergency managers in some of our sister counties, as well, it was very enlightening.”

Sharp said he’s excited to make the transition to serve the county where his family lives, and he believes his existing relationships with agencies around Warren County will lead to a smooth start.

“I love what I do. ... I want to serve the public here, whether that is individuals, schools, businesses, municipal governments or county government,” Sharp said. “The stuff we do in schools, the severe weather stuff and earthquake stuff, going to talk to kids, is the best part of my job.”

Sharp said his immediate focus coming into office is to support the county’s COVID-19 response. The Emergency Management Agency has been responsible for organizing much of the funding and supplies to help slow the local spread of COVID.

Over the next few months, Sharp’s attention will also be on the outlook for flooding, which has become a regular concern in southern Warren County. Sharp said he’s inheriting a well-prepared agency and emergency response network from his predecessor.

“I believe that right this very second, if something were to kick off ... we’re in a good position to face that,” Sharp said.

One area where Sharp hopes to help the county grow is in prevention and protection against cyber crimes. He is a member of the Midwest Cyber Fraud Task Force organized by the U.S. Secret Service.

“Nationwide, it’s a massive problem ... but even if it’s one family who gets all of their money stolen because of a scam, that’s a major problem,” Sharp said. He plans to educate community members about the different forms that cyber crime takes, while helping agencies review best practices to protect against larger cyber emergencies.

As the county’s new emergency management director, Sharp will not be able to represent any other emergency district. Prior to accepting the job, Sharp had signed up as a candidate to return to the Warrenton Fire District board, but he has now withdrawn his candidacy.