Clearwater, Fla.-(Newsradio 970 WFLA)-Pinellas County has named David Halstead interim Emergency Management Director. Halstead will serve in the role as the county continues its search for a permanent director following the retirement of Sally Bishop.
Halstead brings more than 40 years experience as an emergency responder and manager. Halstead was appointed in 2010 by then-Governor Charlie Crist to be Director of the Florida Department of Emergency Management after 10 years with that division.
Halstead was appointed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement back in 2004 to serve as the state's first Chief for the Office of Domestic Preparedness.
In recent years, Halstead worked as a Senior Homeland Security and Emergency Management consultant and an advisor to CNN during Hurricane Irma.
Photo courtesy Pinellas County