FEMA swears in new administrator

BOTHELL — The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced on Feb. 28 that Region 10, which includes Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Alaska, swore in a new regional administrator. The new regional administrator, Willie Nunn, was appointed by President Joe Biden.

The release states that as the regional administrator, Nunn will lead and coordinate all activities in support of FEMA’s mission with the states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, as well as the 271 federally recognized tribes within the region.

While Grant County has not needed FEMA’s assistance very often in recent years, District 13 Rep. Tom Dent said: “We will go to them when we have constituents in need.”

FEMA is a federal agency within the U.S Department of Homeland Security that helps people before, during and after disasters, according to FEMA’s website.

The press release goes on to give some background on Nunn:

• He joined FEMA in June 2007 and has effectively managed disasters in all four states in Region 10 plus nine states across the country and two United States territories.

• Prior to joining FEMA, Nunn was on active duty for over 26 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a colonel. His assignments included two command tours and two combat tours in operations Enduring Freedom in 2002 in Afghanistan and Iraqi Freedom in 2003.

• He earned a bachelor of arts in history from the University of Alabama-Birmingham and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma.

• Nunn and his wife Sylvia have three children: Sacha, Adam and Alene.