CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield County Commissioners introduced Joseph Bigar Jr. as the new director of the Clearfield County Emergency Management Agency at Tuesday’s regular meeting. Bigar officially took over leadership of the EMA Monday.
Bigar has 35 years in fire service and was the former chief of the DuBois City Fire Department. In addition, he has management experience from time spent in the transportation industry and experience as a business owner.
Bigar’s salary was set at $38,000 annually and was approved at Tuesday’s salary board meeting, which was held prior to the commissioners meeting. The commissioners also set the salary for the deputy director position at $34,000 annually but said it hasn’t yet been filled.
Because of the state’s EMA regulations, Debra Archer was appointed acting director of the 911 Department and Jerry Pollock, acting director of the EMA Department on Aug. 22. Both returned to their former positions as 911 coordinator and deputy director EMA, respectively on Monday with the hiring of a permanent EMA director.
According to previous GantDaily.com reports, the commissioners accepted the resignations of Dave McClure, EMA director, and Joe Mitchell, EMA deputy director in August. Both resignations were effective on Aug. 19.
McClure was appointed as the acting EMA director in May 2010 when former EMA director Joshua Quigley vacated the position. McClure was permanently appointed in July 2010 and served in that capacity through the time of his resignation.
McClure had been the EMA director for one year and worked for the county’s EMA department for 21.5 years. When asked after the Aug. 8 board meeting, McClure said he had accepted a safety consultant position in the gas industry.
Mitchell worked for the county for 4.5 years and served as the EMA deputy director during his entire tenure. He is continuing his career in local government and leading DuBois City’s Redevelopment Authority.