Longtime Emergency Management Leader Set to Retire

7/25/2022

Wyoming County Emergency Management Director Dean Meadows retires with over 40 years' service to the citizens of West Virginia

CHARLESTON, W.VA.—Today, the West Virginia Emergency Management Division recognizes the retirement of Wyoming County Emergency Management Director and Emergency Management Council President Dean Meadows at the end of July. Meadows' retirement brings to a close a remarkable career of over 40 years of service to the citizens of West Virginia.

“West Virginia's emergency management community has benefited greatly from Dean's leadership and experience," said WVEMD Director GE McCabe. “His support and generous assistance to state and local agencies have been crucial and we are grateful for his contributions to emergency management."

On a more personal note, McCabe added, “I appreciate all the assistance and friendship Dean has given me over the last few decades."

In 1991, Meadows was appointed as the 911 Center and OES Director of Wyoming County, the first and only person to hold the position. As such, he has led the growth and success of emergency services and communications, not only in Wyoming County but throughout the state.

In addition to his emergency services duties, in 1997 Meadows was awarded the positions of floodplain manager and fiduciary commissioner for Wyoming County. At the time of his appointment, both Wyoming County and the Town of Oceana were on probation with FEMA and facing sanctions, meaning that county residents may not have been eligible to purchase flood insurance or receive federal assistance in the event of a disaster.

Under Meadows' guidance, both Wyoming County and the Town of Oceana were successfully removed from probation with FEMA, and looming sanctions were not imposed. While it took three years to bring the county back into compliance, it did occur before one of the worst disasters in state history, during which all but two communities in Wyoming County were devastated by flooding.

As President of the West Virginia Emergency Management Council since 2018, Meadows has represented local emergency management agencies by supporting legislative actions to improve services, assisting local agencies across the state, and continuing the professional development of emergency managers through continuing education and building peer-to-peer networks amongst the counties. 

Among his many career accomplishments, Meadows received the 2009 WV E911 Council President's Award as the State's Top 911 Director and was selected as the 2016 West Virginia Emergency Manager of the Year. 

In total, Director Meadows has dedicated his entire adult life, over 40 years, to serve the citizens of West Virginia. From education to law enforcement, hazard mitigation, and emergency services, Meadows truly exemplifies what it means to be a West Virginian.  ​

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Contact Information

Lora Lipscomb, WVEMD Public Information Officer