FONDA-On Tuesday night, Montgomery County Emergency Management Director Dwight Schwabrow announced he will leave the position at the beginning of October.
Schwabrow will relocate with his family to Florida. Schwabrow said the move was to help his wife's career, who was offered a position in central Florida.
Schwabrow was appointed to the director's position in January 2011.
Schwabrow has more than 40 years serving the community, with positions ranging from police chief, fire chief, Department of Motor Vehicle investigator, and emergency medical technician. In fact, Schwabrow was volunteering as an EMT while still in high school at Canajoharie. He also has served as fire chief for the town of Mohawk, a part-time deputy with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, and an investigator for the state's Liquor Authority.
Retiring from the Department of Motor Vehicles in 2010, Schwabrow was picked to fill the director position at Emergency Management soon after.
"I think it's been a good time. I think it was positive. I've been able to work well with board of supervisors and public safety. Obviously we've been having some troubling experiences in my tenure," Schwabrow said. "Hurricane Irene, Tropical Storm Lee, a tornado in Cranesville. I've had an active tenure."
Schwabrow said he hopes to be out by October 1. The Personnel committee of the Board of Supervisors is currently accepting applications for the job.
Schwabrow said he is looking forward to relaxing and not having to respond to calls, he joked.