City of Rochester names new emergency management director

This concludes the national search that occurred following the retirement of Ken Jones, who previously served in the role. 

Mirehouse, who currently works in an Emergency Management capacity for the White House, Executive Office of the President, will join the City in the role on June 2, 2022. 

The position, which was previously a part of the Rochester Fire Department, will be centrally located within City Administration, with direct support roles assigned by leadership in Police and Fire.

Mirehouse brings extensive experience to the role, having served as the Director of Emergency Management, Homeland Security & Communications for the City of Milwaukee, WI, and with the United States Marine Corps, where he is still currently serving in the Reserves as an Operations Chief and Company Gunnery Sergeant. 

The Emergency Management Director is a key member of the Administration Team and a member of the Public Safety Impact Team. The Director is responsible for developing, managing, coordinating, and integrating the City's emergency and contingency planning efforts, including the development and implementation of the City’s:

• Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and associated annexes;
• All-Hazard Mitigation Plan (AHMP);
• Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP); and
• Community Recovery Plan

Mirehouse holds a Doctorate in Emergency Management & Public Safety and he is a 2005 graduate of Rochester’s John Marshall High School. Mirehouse received the Purple Heart in December of 2009.