Alan Syler has been named as the county’s new deputy EMA director.

Syler has served in the post on a voluntary capacity and as a Covington County sheriff’s deputy since 2008. He began on June 1 and said the job was a natural transition for him.

“I’ve always held a position that had a broad range of emergency functions,” said Syler, who also works part-time with Advanced EMS and is the volunteer fire chief in Libertyville. “Being a cop and firefighter, working with the rescue, EMA – it all ties together.”

Syler’s duties will include a host of activities, including assisting during times of disasters, helping municipalities and local emergency response agencies with emergency plans and overseeing the county’s flood plain management program.

Syler, who earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Faulkner University, is the father of two girls – Meredith Grace, 10, and Laura, 7.