Salem Emergency Management Agency Coordinator Terry Mulvany has announced his retirement effective April 30th. Mulvany has held the position for nearly 43 years and has been involved in emergency services since right after he graduated from high school in 1969.
Salem Mayor Nic Farley says he tried to talk Mulvany out of it, but was not successful. Mulvany will help through the transition and wants to be involved as long as his health allows.
Mulvany says his first big incident was the Tonti Train wreck when he was on the Salem Fire Department and working for the Marion County Civil Defense. He spent 16 years on the fire department, twice winning fireman of the year. Mulvany was also a member of the Salem Police Reserve.
However, Mulvany said time made him give up many of his other positions once he was appointed Salem Emergency Services and Disaster Agency Coordinator in 1980.
He says there have been a lot of changes over the 43 years.
“Since unfortunately 911 things changed at that time. Things change all the time in emergency management. Trying to keep up with it hasn’t been easy but have been able to do so. Keeping the Salem unit accredited and hopefully that will continue.”
Mulvany says two particular disasters stand out during his tenure.
“The water shortage in 1980 I had just been appointed EMA coordinator, reservoir was low and we ended up calling the state ESDA had some pumps and pipes put in and water was pumped to the reservoir that lasted almost 3 months. That is probably one of the largest details with the exception with the April 19, 1996 tornado which Marion County including Salem was declared a federal disaster along with several other counties throughout the state.”
Mulvany also recalls several large snowstorms where emergency shelters had to be set up for those coming off I-57.
He’s disappointed to say like many other organizations they have been struggling to find volunteers in recent years with their current roster at its lowest level since he took the position.
Farley says he will be accepting applications from those interested in being the new Emergency Management Agency Coordinator until February 16th.
