Former Safety Commissioner Returns to Head SL County Emergency Prep

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Salt Lake County has tapped former Utah public safety commissioner Robert Flowers to head emergency preparedness efforts. County Mayor Peter Corroon has forwarded Flowers' nomination to the Salt Lake County Council:

"It's a full time new position, because there are on-going needs," says Corroon. "We want to continually have exercises so that when something does happen it will be a natural reaction that we know what to do and where to go."

If approved, Flowers will help county departments prepare for an earthquake, fire, flood, flu pandemic or other emergency, says Corroon. Flowers is currently a regional administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Denver. That position is a political appointment, rather than a long-term job. And that's why Flowers says he is eager to return to Utah for a position with the County.

During his time as public safety commissioner for the State of Utah, Flowers was criticized for maintaining his home in southern Utah and expensing the lengthy commute to his Salt Lake City office with taxpayer money. Salt Lake County director of Public Works Linda Hamilton says Flowers will not be allowed to do the same thing as a county employee.

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