THOMASVILLE — Grady County has a new Emergency Medical Services Director.

County Administrator Rusty Moye, who took over as interim director in March after former director Darryl Edwards stepped down, announced Wednesday that the position has been awarded to Colquitt resident William “Billy” Rathel.

Rathel, 55, has served as Miller County EMS director since 1990. He said he thought it was time to move on to other opportunities.

“I felt like it was time to move on and I was exploring better job opportunities,” he said in a phone interview Wednesday. “I’m familiar with all the counties in southwest Georgia and Grady County is larger than Miller County. I’ve been director here for 17 years and I knew Grady County was advertising, received several good recommendations and thought I would apply for the position.”

Rathel started in emergency services in 1973 and completed his EMT course in 1974. He is also a licensed practical nurse and completed the paramedic program in 1996. Rathel is a certified emergency manager and has experience dealing with local, state and federal governments.

“I like being able to help people in their worst situations and emergencies,” he said. “I know I can make it just a little bit better and lighter for them in stressful or traumatic situations.”

His appointment comes at a time when representatives from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) are questioning the Grady County Board of Commissioners actions regarding a 2006 situation involving “racial slurs” and “derogatory comments” allegedly made by GCEMS personnel in 2006.

County officials have stated on several occasions that the situation has been dealt with according to personnel guidelines and those in fault have faced the consequences of their actions. The NAACP representatives have repeatedly said they feel the county has not handled the situation in an adequate manner.

Rathel did not have much to say about the situation as an outsider going in except that he wants to treat it with objectivity.

“I think my coming in as someone new I’d be more objective because I don’t have any opinions for either side,” he said. “I can be more objective in looking at both sides of the situation and making a good evaluation. First of all, I want to get in there and evaluate the situation. I want to work with people, meet the staff and have a close working relationship with county administrator/commissioners and EMS staff. I want to work with everybody on this.”

He also has a few goals he is bringing to Grady County.

“One thing I tried to do in Miller County was to always have citizen involvement with EMS,” said Rathel. “People were welcome to stop by and talk with the EMTs and paramedics in order to get to know them, have their blood pressure checked and get a grasp of what they really do in the community. We also took ambulances to the schools so the kids could see them and know not to be afraid of them if they are even involved in an emergency situation. I’ve also spoken to a lot of senior citizens groups and I would like to continue doing that. I’ve also worked with public health by doing health fairs.”

Moye said Rathel will start his new position on Tuesday. The position pays $50,000 a year with standard county employee benefits (such as health insurance).

Rathel is excited to start work in Grady County.

“I’m looking forward to this experience of working with Grady County and serving its citizens,” he said. “I’m looking forward to working with the county administrator and the county commissioners and helping to make Grady County’s EMS the best service it can be.”