By By Sheila Blackmon/The Meridian Star
March 29, 2001
DECATUR Newton County supervisors have hired Gary Galloway as the new E-911 coordinator and Emergency Management Agency director. He will take up his new duties Monday.
Galloway had applied before Larry Wall took the position. Wall resigned earlier this month. Galloway will be the sixth person to hold the position since it was created in 1993.
James Smith, board of supervisors president, said Galloway was chosen because of his qualifications and previous experience.
Galloway said he also has an extra class license as a ham radio operator and is involved with Meridian Area Emergency Net broadcasts on scanner and ham radio frequency 146.7.
The Meridian Area Emergency Net is part of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, which is sponsored by the Amateur Radio Relay League. The AARL is a national organization for ham radio operators.
He is also a volunteer for the Lauderdale County Emergency Management Agency.
He said his new role will prevent him from volunteering in Lauderdale County, but he would like to take advantage of the good relationship between Lauderdale and Newton counties' emergency personnel.
He said one of his goals is to start a crossroad index, which is used to help emergency personnel narrow down locations and pinpoint addresses on long county roads.
Galloway was working in sales and was an Internet coordinator for Bill Ethridge Lincoln Mercury Isuzu when he accepted the Newton County position.
Galloway lives in Little Rock with his wife, Jackie, and two daughters, Carly, 14, and Lacy, 13.
Sheila Blackmon is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail her at sblackmon@themeridianstar.com.