Meet Tim Warstler, head of Stark County EMA

Tim Warstler has been the director of the Stark County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) since 2004. He started with the agency in 2001.

For the past 21-plus years during his time with Stark EMA, he has assisted with the management of three federally declared disasters and numerous local emergency declarations.

Warstler also has secured or assisted with millions of dollars in state and federal grants for Stark County’s public safety forces and local communities.

Prior to his time at Stark EMA, he served for seven years as director of safety and security for Doctors Hospital, and 17 years as a paid part-time firefighter and 11 years as a fire captain. Warstler has more than 25 years of service as a fully commissioned Stark County reserve sheriff’s deputy and currently serves as a lieutenant.

Warstler is a certified emergency manager through the International Association of Emergency Managers. This is the highest professional achievement available from the association, which has a membership of more than 9,000 emergency managers. The designation is held by only 1,526 men and women in the emergency management profession.

Warstler and his wife of 24 years, Barb, live with their 4-year-old Lexi in Plain Township. He graduated from Fairless High School and R.G. Drage in the agricultural production program. He also attended The Ohio State University where he studied engineering.

Meet Corinne Levy:Five questions with ... Corinne Levy, who assists the Mickey Stachel Foundation

Would you describe your main duties as the director at the Stark County Emergency Management Agency?

As the director, my staff and I work with local government agencies, public safety officials, nonprofit organizations and elected officials to help coordinate the response before, during and after very large-scale disasters in Stark County.

What are a few of your favorite job duties?

Consulting with local public safety officials, area governments, schools, hospitals, business, etc., in order to determine their needs and capabilities in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency. Second would be conducting damage assessments following disasters or emergencies with state or federal partners.

Meet Kim Kenney:Five questions with ... Kim Kenney, who heads the McKinley Museum

Would you share a few of your favorite places in Stark County to spend your free time and why?

Love attending local events like festivals, First Fridays and dining out in and around Stark County with my wife as we have so many great options available. We don’t get enough time but we like visiting many of the parks and sites like Beech Creek Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve.

What do you consider to be a hidden talent you have that your friends and co-workers may not know about?

Not sure, but I would like to think I make a pretty good food and travel guide. My reviews and travel photos have over 5.3 million views in Google Maps.

Meet Trevor Householder:Five questions with ... Trevor Householder, education programmer/historian at Stark Parks

With all the rain the county has had this spring, would you give a few tips on what to do if a person is driving and they encounter a flash flood on the road?

I think the best advice is the National Weather Service’s campaign of "Turn Around Don’t Drown." Most flood-related vehicle fatalities happen when people drive into flooded areas oftentimes driving around barricades or road closed signs.

As for your car being suddenly surrounded by flood waters, there are so many variables with this question. I would suggest a quick internet search and reading in advance on "How to survive a flash flood in your car."

Editor's note: Five questions with ... is a Sunday feature that showcases a member of the Stark County community. If you'd like to recommend someone to participate, send an email to newsroom@cantonrep.com.