WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO, January 31, 2025 ─ The Wayne County Commissioners have offered Jerry R. Winkler the Director of the Emergency Management Agency (EMA) position. Winkler has accepted the offer and will begin February 18, 2025.
Winkler has more than three decades of experience as a first responder in emergency preparedness, disaster planning, grant writing, and budgeting. He is a State of Ohio certified Firefighter II, a Paramedic, and a Fire and Emergency Services Instructor II.
Winkler attended Ohio University, the University of Akron, and Waldorf University in Forest City, Iowa. In 2015, he completed the Executive Fire Officer Program, a Master’s Degree-level course of study, at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
During his career, Winkler has developed cross-disciplined relationships with local and state EMAs, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and has served on a state-wide Emergency Response Planning Committee. In addition to being a proven leader in public service, Winker is an accomplished writer, small business owner, realtor, and real estate investor.