Indiana Governor Appoints New Director for SEMA

In February 2004, Indiana State Emergency Management Agency Executive Director, Pat Ralston, retired from public service to persue a career in the private sector.  Mr. Ralston was the current Chairman of the Board of Directors for CUSEC and served with SEMA since March of 1997.  Indiana Governor Joe Kernan appointed Luther Taylor of South Bend, Indiana the new Director of the agency.  The CUSEC Board of Directors voted Mr. Robert Latham, Director of the Mississippi Emergency Agency, as the new Chairman of the CUSEC Board.  Read the press release below.

For Immediate Release: Mar 11, 2004
Contact: Tina Noel or Jonathan Swain
Phone: 317-232-4578
Email: jkernan@state.in.us 

Kernan names South Bend’s Taylor new SEMA executive director

Gov. Joe Kernan said today that he has appointed Luther J. Taylor, Sr., as the new executive director of the State Emergency Management Agency.

Taylor is currently chief of the South Bend Fire Department, a position he has held since October 1985. Gov. Kernan became acquainted with Taylor when he served as mayor of the city of South Bend from 1987 to 1996.

“Luther has all the tools necessary to excel at this job,” Kernan said. “Entrusting him with the leadership and coordination of our responses to state emergencies was an easy call for me.

“He will bring a local perspective to this position, which as a former mayor, I believe will be extraordinarily beneficial to Indiana,” Kernan added. “I am so thrilled Luther has agreed to serve our state and lead SEMA, and cannot wait to work with him on a regular basis again.”

As fire chief, Taylor is responsible for the administration and operation of 248 sworn firefighters and paramedics. He also assists in the study and development of recommendations for the protection of life and property in South Bend and directly consults with the city’s mayor, Steve Luecke, on policy and planning.

Prior to becoming fire chief, Taylor was battalion chief of Fire Suppression for the department. In addition, his resume includes stints as a captain on an engine company and firefighter. He is a member of the Local Emergency Management Advisory Board, as well as the American Red Cross Board of Directors.

“I enjoyed working with Mayor Kernan then, and I am looking forward to the opportunity to serve with him now,” Taylor said. “While I am sad to be leaving my friends and co-workers in South Bend, including Mayor Luecke, I feel I have an obligation to assist the governor in his efforts, and assure him that I will live up to his high expectations.”

Married with two children, Taylor has received extensive training in numerous areas of public safety, including hazardous materials response, radiological defense, gas emergencies, fire incident management and arson.

Taylor replaces Patrick R. Ralston as SEMA’s executive director. Ralston, who has led SEMA since March 1997, is leaving state government to pursue a career in the private sector.

“Pat has been an outstanding public servant,” Kernan said. “His contributions to the safety and preparedness of our state are numerous. I wish him nothing but the best, and am certain his future outside government is bright.”

The State Emergency Management Agency consists of five divisions: Homeland Security, Mitigation/Recovery, Operations, Preparedness and Technological.

Taylor takes over as head of SEMA on April 5.

Press Release courtesy - The State of Indiana