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Last modified: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 2:37 PM CDT
Woytassek is Emergency Management Director of the year
by Jennifer Johnson • Daily News
Breckenridge resident Vern Woytassek was recently awarded Minnesota State Emergency Management Director of the Year for 2009, beating out 86 others in the same category.
Woytassek attended a Sept. 22 awards banquet in Breezy Point, Minn., and was "very proud" and "totally surprised" by the honor.
"I was so shocked, I didn't remember a single word [of the presentation]," he said.
A transcript of the event stated Woytassek's "calm manner, patience and expert coordination provided to be a crucial asset within the county" during the 2009 flood, the biggest challenge he's faced since he started his position nearly four years ago.
Woytassek introduced a mandated federal emergency operating system, Incident Command System (ICS), to the county for the first time in order to comply with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Homeland Security. In the past, county officials used to gather and share information, but in March they had to adopt the new system, he said. The process went a lot smoother than he'd anticipated.
"It was definitely a learning experience for all concerned, and trying at times," said Woytassek, who was on-call 24-7 throughout the flood.
His first day on the job - Dec. 19, 2005 - was also a bit intimidating. A significant ice storm fueled by freezing rain, excessive wind and snow caused area power outages and limited travel. The harsh storm set a presidential declaration in motion on his first day, and Woytassek has worked under several since that time.
Some of his job highlights include the social connections he's made throughout the region and country, many of which evolved into lifelong friendships. He was also honored to be contacted by officials within moments of the Minneapolis bridge collapse in 2007 and called into St. Paul for briefings before the Republican National Convention.
Prior to Woytassek's role in emergency management, he taught business courses at the University of Mary in Fargo, and online college math for the University of Phoenix, the latter of which he continues today.
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