Jay Kimery Named Benton County EMA Director
The Benton County Board of Supervisors has named Jay Kimery the county’s new Benton County EMA director, choosing a lifelong county resident and longtime volunteer firefighter to lead local emergency planning and response from Ashland. Kimery will take over from the current director, who is retiring, after a handover period over the coming weeks.
Who Is the New Benton County EMA Director?
According to TVMO News Network, which first reported the appointment Tuesday, Kimery was born and raised in Benton County and brings more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement and firefighting. He has also worked as director of security for a private security company.
Kimery currently volunteers with two of the county’s fire departments:
- Ashland Volunteer Fire Department
- Snow Lake Volunteer Fire Department
TVMO reported that Kimery will work alongside the outgoing EMA director during an official transition before fully taking over the job. The report did not name the retiring director or give an exact start date.
More Than One Job
The role covers far more than storm warnings. In a public Facebook post announcing the new position, Kimery listed his titles with the county as:
- Emergency Management Director
- Homeland Security Director
- 9-1-1 Coordinator
- Floodplain/GIS Coordinator
- Economic Development Director
“I love this county and its people, and I intend to give this position my full commitment,” Kimery wrote, adding that he hopes to protect residents, strengthen the community and help Benton County grow. He thanked county leaders “for putting trust and faith in me to do the job.”
Why the Post Matters for Benton County Residents
A county emergency management agency coordinates the local response to tornadoes, floods, winter storms, hazardous material spills and other disasters. It works with fire departments, law enforcement, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and FEMA, and it often handles damage assessments that help a county qualify for state and federal disaster aid.
That work has been in focus across north Mississippi this year. Communities in the region spent months recovering from the January 2026 winter storm, and fall is the start of the region’s second severe weather season. Benton County was placed under a burn ban in September amid dry conditions, and local firefighters recently completed specialized training on responding to carbon dioxide pipeline emergencies.
Because Kimery’s duties also include 9-1-1 coordination, floodplain mapping and economic development, his office will touch everything from emergency call routing to building permits in flood-prone areas and efforts to recruit new business to Ashland, Hickory Flat and the rest of the county.
Residents with an emergency should always call 911. Questions for the Benton County Emergency Management Agency can be directed to the county offices in Ashland.
Related: Ashland Firefighters Complete CO2 Pipeline Emergency Training | Tippah and Benton Counties Under Burn Ban
Source: TVMO News Network
