Phillips appointed new EMA director

Grady County has a new Emergency Management Agency director but he is no stranger to the community.
Following a brief closed door session Tuesday morning, the Grady County Commission voted unanimously to appoint County Fire Chief Richard Phillips as the new EMA director.
Chief Phillips replaces EMA director Jim Ellis, who resigned his post earlier this year. Ellis served as the county EMA director for 11 years before his Jan. 19, 2016 resignation.
Chief Phillips has been serving in this role since Ellis stepped down.
Phillips has served as the full-time county fire chief since Dec. 2014. He has been involved with the VFD for 25 years and previously served as the department’s training officer and chief of the Spence VFD.
Commissioners on Tuesday also approved a $5,000 raise for Chief Phillips bringing his total annual salary to $46,506.86.