BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. – Berkeley County has appointed Cole Shirley as its new director of emergency management, placing a seasoned public safety professional in charge of planning for disasters and coordinating responses to crises across the county.
County officials announced the appointment Monday, citing Shirley’s background in emergency response, operations and crisis communication. A South Carolina Certified Emergency Manager, Shirley has participated in multiple Emergency Operations Center activations across the state, including in Berkeley County, officials said.
Shirley comes to the role after serving as the county’s fire service coordinator. Before that, he worked as a firefighter and nationally registered paramedic and completed FEMA’s Advanced Public Information Officer certification, a credential officials say strengthens his ability to communicate clearly during emergencies.
As director, Shirley will oversee preparedness, response and recovery efforts — from severe weather planning to large-scale incident management — with a focus on keeping communities safe and resilient.
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“My career has been dedicated to serving people during critical times,” Shirley said in a statement. “I look forward to continuing my passion by leading our Emergency Management Department and growing on its success.”
Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb said Shirley has already played a key role in shaping the department.
“Cole has been instrumental in the development of our Emergency Management team,” Cribb said. “I am excited to have him in this role and confident in his ability to guide our county through planning, preparedness and times of crisis.”
The appointment comes as local governments across the Lowcountry emphasize readiness for hurricanes, flooding and other weather-related threats, highlighting the importance of experienced leadership in emergency management.
