CITIZEN STAFF REPORT

INEZ — Kayla May, the director of Martin County Emergency Management, has accepted a position with Kentucky Emergency Management as the Area 8 emergency response manager. Area 8, based in Hazard, encompasses 12 counties: Breathitt, Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Perry, Pike and Wolfe.

May will begin her new role Aug. 1, with responsibilities in both the Hazard and Prestonsburg offices.

Appointed to her position in Martin County in June 2021 by the late Judge/Executive Victor Slone, May previously served as an administrative assistant in former Judge Bill Davis’ office.

During her tenure, she has managed several flood responses affecting Martin County and played a crucial role in the October 2023 Unified Command at the Pontiki prep plant when a coal tipple collapsed, trapping and killing two men. The collapse of the tipple is considered one of the largest structural collapses in Kentucky’s history, according to a statement from Kentucky Emergency Management.

“Working in emergency management has allowed me to gain an abundance of knowledge and training that I have been able to use to help my community be better prepared when disasters happen,” May said. “Even though we can’t prevent disasters, we can try to be as prepared as possible. If I can help members of the community during what is possibly some of their worst days and help to make it easier on them, then it is all worth it.”

In her free time, May enjoys spending time with her family and friends, particularly with her husband Ryan and their sons, Jaxson and Liam.

July 30 will be her last day in the Martin County office.