Brad Taylor, who has “always been in public service my whole career,” has been named director for Sequoyah County Emergency Management (SCEM).
He replaces Jonathan Teague, who left two weeks ago. Teague had been with the county since January 2023, and was named director in October 2023 after having served as deputy director for nine months. His appointment was due to the resignation of then-director Garrett Fargo, who was hired to replace Steve Rutherford, who retired in November 2022 after 10 years as SCEM director.
“I’ve always dabbled in each thing that’s coming all together as one now,” Taylor said of his appointment to the SCEM helm.
Taylor, 33, was previously a deputy and communications technician with the Sequoyah County Sheriff ’s Office, and has a background in law enforcement, National Guard, corrections and communications.
“It just kinda suited me to be brought in as emergency management director,” he says.
Since assuming the duties on June 10, Taylor has spent the past two weeks ensuring response teams, equipment and logistics are in place in the event of a disaster or state emergency.
Although Oklahoma’s tornado season is past, current awareness shifts to dealing with heat, drought and fire, Taylor says. Included under that disaster umbrella are concerns in the event of a water emergency, which is solved by utilizing potable water tanks, which he says are a priority in serving county residents “to ensure their way of living is sustained” during such an emergency.
“Not having water in the summer is an emergency,” he points out. Additionally, power outages and availability of emergency food resources are priorities.
Taylor says he is on call 24/7 for disasters and emergencies like search and rescue, which augurs well with his approach to the position.
“There’s always that ‘do more’ personality that I have,” he says.
Born in Ada, he is of Choctaw descent, although he grew up in Booneville, Ark., and he and his family currently live in Greenwood, Ark. He says he will be relocating to Sequoyah County soon.
Emergency readiness is top of mind for Taylor, who approaches preparation with “a whole-hearted plan for ‘what ifs.’
“Always plan for the worst outcome,” he says of his preparation. “I want to be as ready to respond as the 2019 floods.”
In his first two weeks on the job, Taylor says he has identified his priorities as equipment and their locations in preparation for deployment, as well as licensed operators when needed.
He also praised the professionals already in place at county agencies, and is confident in their experience and abilities for utilizing personnel and resources.
