Charleston Reporter

Joe Coates has been selected by Charleston County to serve as the director of the Emergency Management Department.

Deputy County Administrator of Public Safety Eric Watson said Coates has strong experience in managing the county’s emergency operations, according to a Jan. 18 county release. 

“Not only has he led our staff and residents through numerous emergency events, but his dedication to public safety began at a very young age," Watson said in the release. "I am confident in Joe’s ability to run this crucial department, no matter what emergencies arise."

Coates started working with the County in 2008, and has served as interim director for Emergency Management since July 2021. 

An American Military University graduate, Coates has gained experience as coordinator with the sheriff's Rural Search and Rescue Team, former secretary for the Disaster Recovery Network after the 2015 1,000-year flood, and the former sUAS chairman under the Public Safety Coordinating Committee.

Coates has also previously served as a member of the South Carolina Emergency Management Association Legislative Delegation and as the incident commander for the Charleston County Emergency Operations Center, the release said. 

Among Coates' duties will be to oversee the county’s all-hazards emergency management program by developing preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation planning. 

He will also oversee the operations of the Emergency Preparedness Division, Hazardous Materials Division, Marine Incident Response Team and the Volunteer Rescue Squad, and will serve as an advisor on the Citadel’s James B Near Center for Climate Studies.