The search is on for new Grant County Emergency Management Coordinator
By Logan Bagett on Wednesday, May 20th, 2026 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News Eastern/Southeast Oregon Top Stories
CANYON CITY – The Grant County Court will begin the search for a new Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC). Eric Bush, Grant County’s current EMC, stated during May 20th’s county court meeting that when accepting the position, he would dedicate 3-to-5 years to the job. He is currently in year 5.
Bush told the court, “…I’ve got other things going on and I cannot continue to work full time doing this, but I can work enough to keep the ship afloat and to do a warm transition with somebody new coming in, and do a smooth handoff over the summer—which is really our most critical time seasonally with our typical disaster tempo that we see here.”
He said, “In conjunction with the Judge [Jim Hamsher], the Sheriff, and working closely with your county counsel, we’ve developed this proposal that I sent you [commissioners] last night.” Bush proposed his work time be reduced from 40 hours-per-week to 10-hours-per-week through September, unless a replacement is found sooner. Bush would help train the incoming EMC and oversee the transition. The Emergency Management Coordinator stated that back in January 2026 he gave notice to Judge Hamsher that his plans were to step down effective May 1st, 2026.
County Commissioner Mitch Wilson was surprised at the news, stating, “So, we have to make a decision today; is that what you’re saying? I just got hit with this.” Commissioners Wilson and John Rowell both stated they were unaware of Bush’s plans to step down. Wilson stated, “I’m frustrated, Jim, that we weren’t more in front of this in looking [for Bush’s replacement].”
Governing bodies typically call an executive session to discuss personnel and employment issues among decision makers.
Judge Hamsher stated, “I was hoping maybe that Eric would have a change of heart and decide not to follow through.”
Emergency Management Coordinator Bush reiterated, “I’m just being transparent—I can’t put in 40 hours a week. I can’t do it right now. I can work part-time, but I can’t do [full-time] right now.”
Sheriff Todd McKinley stated he was comfortable with the proposed plan. Regarding a replacement, the Sheriff noted, “There are individuals interested. One in particular is very interested. Obviously, the court would have to fly the position. How do we integrate this? It would be good to have a warm handoff between Eric and whoever comes in. And that way, Eric can pass on that knowledge over the course of time. So, my question to the court is, ‘Will it be two positions for the time being until Eric is done at the end of September?’
Commissioner Rowell said, “It does leave the court feeling in a bind. I mean, that’s as simple as that, right?” Commissioner Wilson added, “Definitely me…I had no idea.”
After some discussion, Commissioner Rowell moved to accept the Emergency Management Coordinator’s proposal of reducing his hours to 10-hour-per-week, at a rate of $100-per-hour (which, in total, is less than what he received full-time), through September 30th, unless a replacement is hired sooner. In addition, Bush said he’d help run the Emergency Operations Center if Grant County experiences a major wildfire situation over the summer.
The motion passed two-to-one, with Commissioner Wilson voting “no.” In the meantime, the Grant County Court will be looking at the ‘Emergency Management Coordinator’ job description and make any necessary updates before a new EMC is hired.
