There will soon be a new person at the helm of Habersham County Emergency Services. The county named Jeff Adams as the sole finalist for the job on Tuesday. He is currently the Business Services and Training Chief for the department.
Chief Adams is a paramedic and certified trauma and fire instructor who has worked in emergency services for 24 years. He’s been teaching since 2008, according to his professional bio. Adams holds an associate’s Biology degree from the University of North Georgia and a bachelor’s in Fire and Emergency Services Administration from East Georgia College.
In 2020, Adams earned his EMS Directors Certification. He currently serves on the board of the Georgia EMS Association along with former Habersham County Emergency Services Director, Chad Black.
Black left the job in January to work in the private sector. Since then, the county has been searching for his successor. Twelve people interviewed for the job, including two from out of state and five from outside the county, says county public information officer Carolyn Gibson. After a round of video interviews, the selection panel narrowed the pool to five candidates.
“Those finalists came for an in-person interview,” explains Habersham County Human Resources Director Ann Cain. “The interview panel agreed that Mr. Adams was the right fit for this job.”
County manager Alicia Vaughn says Adams was “incredibly influential” in developing the county’s EMS department after it merged with fire services in 2018.
“Mr. Adams has proved his dedication and leadership to Habersham County,” she says.
“I am honored and blessed to be chosen for this promotion,” Adams tells Now Habersham. “I work with a great team and it is my privilege to keep us moving forward.”
Adams will begin his new job as HCES director on May 3.
