Jessica Tomlin of Luverne has stepped into her new position as Crenshaw County's Emergency Management Agency director and Homeland Security point of contact with lots of excitement and enthusiasm.

Tomlin was named to the position after former EMA director Anita West retired in December.

&#8220I do my best to be a people-person,” Tomlin said. &#8220You have to deal with so many different agencies.”

Tomlin steps into the position with a bachelor's and a master's degree in Criminal Justice from Troy University. She graduated Magna Cum Laude in both degrees.

She had served as a correctional officer at the Crenshaw County Jail from May 8, 2006, until this month. Before that, she worked as a graduate's assistant at Troy University for two years.

Knowing how to write for federal grants is a must for an EMA director, something that Tomlin already has experience in. Not only is she N.I.M.S. certified, which is the National Incidence Management System's communication codes for emergency personnel during natural disasters, but she has also completed the N.I.M.S. Emergency Response System, which is a higher level of N.I.M.S. certification.

In addition to that, Tomlin has completed the Orientation to Emergency Management, and she is certified in the usage of a taser.

Tomlin's enthusiasm for her new position is quite obvious.

&#8220I'm very excited about helping others,” she said. &#8220I've been a resident of Crenshaw County my whole life, and it has always been a dream and a goal of mine to be able to help the residents in my county.”

When it comes to her predecessor, Tomlin said that if she could do only half of what Anita West accomplished, she would be glad.

&#8220Everyone has told me what a wonderful job she did,” Tomlin added.

&#8220I look forward to the challenges this position will bring because I know they will come,” she said. &#8220I will do everything within my power to be prepared and to be ready to face any emergency situation that might arise. If anyone wishes to contact me, I welcome any concerns or questions from the citizens of Crenshaw County.”

Tomlin is a 1996 Luverne High School graduate.

She is the daughter of Larry and Linda Tomlin of Luverne, and the granddaughter of Mittie Ann Tomlin and the late Charles Tomlin of Luverne, and Myra Pouncey and the late Ralph Pouncey of Glenwood. She has one brother, Scott King, of Birmingham, and one sister, Von Sawyer, of Greenville. Her fianc\u00E9e is Dennis Seabrook of Luverne.

The EMA office is open from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Tomlin can be reached at 335-4538.