
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, January 24, 1995                   TAG: 9501240131
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C5   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: RICHARD FOSTER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

BEDFORD TO SEEK NEW SAFETY CHIEF

The Bedford County Board of Supervisors voted six to one Monday night to seek a new public safety director.

The decision came after about 30 Bedford County volunteer fire and rescue squad members crowded the board room to ask that the long-vacant position be filled.

Jim Ottinger, volunteer fire commissioner for Bedford County, said the county needs a full-time person in this position who can develop goals and update policy and procedures for all volunteer fire and rescue squads in Bedford County.

In particular, the county's disaster and catastrophe plans, which haven't been revised in 10 years, need to be updated, Ottinger said.

"If we had a major [disaster] in Bedford right now, we'd have no one to come along and set up a command center. We'd be at a loss."

The public safety director's position has been vacant since early last year. John Dooley, an administrative specialist with the county, has taken on some of the safety directors duties in the interim.

by CNB