Hello:

I represent the 5th District in MEMA activities and issues. As a Regional Planner with the Kalamazoo County Office of Emergency Management, I'm a frequent attendee at the 5th District Emergency Management Coordinators' meeting and frequent attendee to the 5th District Medical Response Coalition meeting -- where I try to maintain awareness of many of the issues affecting the 5th District.

My intentions are to ensure that the issues of ALL Emergency Management leaders are analyzed, given appropriate attention by the MEMA Board, and that action items are communicated effectively.

I'm completing the last couple classroom sessions needed for my PEM. 

I'm on my 'second career' which follows retirement from a 30 year career with Eaton Truck Components -- summarized as:

A marketing professional who specialized in competitive information, market forecasting, strategic planning, quality systems, customer service and cross-functional team implementation of strategic initiatives at all levels in the organization -- including 12 years of leadership in evaluating organizations to the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award criteria. Established and audited procedures to meet ISO/QS-9000 quality standards and best practices. Was trained in the Six Sigma and other structured process and problem-solving tools; and developed and implemented practical customer satisfaction surveys that improved product quality and increased customer satisfaction.

As a Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (R.A.C.E.S.) member, I began my involvement with Kalamazoo's Office of Emergency Management back in 1991; and participated in nearly all of the Kalamazoo County annual Disaster Exercises as either a RACES participant or as an Official Observer.

As a private consultant, I lead the development of the Kalamazoo County Hazard Mitigation Plan; and then accepted a full-time position with the county as a Solution Area Planner where I currently work as a Regional Planner under the direction of  Emergency Management Director -- Lt. Paul R. Baker (your MEMA President).

In order to accomplish my goal of representing you, it is important for you to make your issues known to me. I'll be developing a communication process with you -- which will include a survey and other more regular modes of communication (I'm also the webmaster for this web, so let me know what you'd like to see on it).

Local Regional Planners from the 5th District have been meeting here in the Kalamazoo on a quarterly basis since late 2005.

I'm happy to have the opportunity to serve you in this most interesting of times.

James H. Gorka - Regional Planner
Emergency Management Division
Kalamazoo County Sheriff
1500 Lamont Ave. Kalamazoo, MI 49048
(269) 383-8740=Voice; (269) 382-9884=Fax
http://KalamazooEmergencyManagement.org

¹ The 5th District includes the EM Programs for the Counties of Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, Van Buren, St. Joseph, and the City of Battle Creek.