Who We Are


Patricia L. Dugger
Director

Phone: (859) 280-8060
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Pat Dugger has been director of Lexington Emergency Management since it was first established in 1988. Since then, she’s spearheaded the development of a comprehensive emergency management program that links public safety with public health and other response and support disciplines. Our program is inclusive of all hazards and all disciplines with the goal to have Lexington prepared and capable of responding to the most likely hazards we face. Before joining emergency management, she worked with the Division of Building Inspection from 1984-1988. She has a BS from Eastern Kentucky University and an MPA from the University of Kentucky.


Tim Brandewie
Operations/Recovery Mgr.

Phone: (859) 280-8054
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Tim came to Lexington Emergency Management in February 2004 to serve as the Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) Coordinator. The MMRS is an ongoing effort by the health, medical, and public safety community to plan for serious health and medical catastrophes in the Central Kentucky region. It also develops systems for coordinating and providing critical care when and where it’s needed, and procuring medicines and equipment. As Tim’s duties have evolved, he’s taken on more general planning duties for emergency response and recovery. Prior to joining emergency management, Tim served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years as an Intelligence Analyst and Special Operations Officer.


Picture of Shelley Bendall

Shelley Roberts Bendall
Preparedness Coordinator

Phone: (859) 280-8063
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Shelley started working for Lexington Emergency Management in 2003. Her first week was the record-breaking ice storm that year! She is a graduate of Berea College and earned her Masters Degree in Public Administration from UK’s Martin School. Shelley provides disaster preparedness education and training to Lexington residents and businesses.

She coordinates the CERT program, and education campaigns. Shelly is always looking for ways to encourage people to be prepared for disasters. She also coordinates Lexington’s Safe Communities Coalition, a program of the National Safety Council. She enjoys gardening, hiking, and chasing after her two children.


Doreen Birkholz
Emergency Systems Specialist

Phone: (859) 280-8059
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Doreen joined Lexington Emergency Management in June 2003. She has a degree in Computer Information Systems and assists the staff with software and hardware issues. Doreen’s primary role is managing DEM’s emergency alerting systems and serves as the WebEOC Administrator. Before joining emergency management, she worked as the senior case manager for a forensic economist. Doreen loves all animals, enjoys camping, and spends her free time with her furry friends and family.


Lanni Griffin-Brackensick
CSEPP Manager
Phone: (859) 280-8055
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Lanni joined Lexington Emergency Management in October 2019. She brings 20+ years of financial and management experience, including being the CSEPP Finance Officer for the State of Kentucky.  Lanni is responsible for the overall program management of CSEPP, including budget management and forecasting.  She serves on local and national non-profit boards, and enjoys cooking, travel, family time, and pets.


Royce Reeves
Logistics Officer

Phone: (859) 280-8068
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Logistics Officer Royce Reeves came to Lexington Emergency Management in June of 2009. He is responsible for purchasing equipment and tracking its location and condition. Prior to joining emergency management, Royce worked as a prepress graphic artist for 28 years. If you have an American flag that is no longer suitable for display and don’t know what to do with it, please drop it off at the office and Royce will see to its proper and honorable disposal.


John Bobel
Public Information Officer

Phone: (859) 280-8067
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John began working with emergency management when he joined LFUCG as a public information officer in 1993. With 40 years of experience in journalism, public relations, photography, social media, research methods and analysis, management consulting, and electrical/broadcast/Internet engineering, John brings extensive knowledge, strategies, and tactical abilities to the division’s benefit.

John is also an instructor for FEMA, teaching courses for first responders and public affairs personnel in the areas of media relations, the use of social media, stakeholder administration, and rumor mitigation. John now works full-time in the Division of Emergency Management, splitting his time between DEM and CSEPP projects.


Stephen Bishop
CSEPP Planner/WebEOC Support
Phone: (859) 280-8058
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Stephen came to Lexington Emergency Management as a volunteer EOC coordinator in 2007, serving in several support functions. Leading ESF-2, Stephen assisted with the specification of communications equipment and oversite of installation at the newly renovated Public Safety Operations Center. In November 2017, he accepted the position of CSEPP Planner/WebEOC Support Administrator, supporting planning within Fayette County and the ten-county CSEPP region. Stephen comes to emergency management with more than 25 years of emergency services and management background. When not at the Lexington office, Stephen serves as a career Firefighter/EMT for the City of Versailles. Away from work, Stephen enjoys running – having completed multiple marathons – and multiple outdoor activities. He also teaches cave rescue as an instructor for the National Cave Rescue Commission.


Cameron Poe
CSEPP Exercise Coordinator
Phone: (859) 280-8066

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Cameron grew up on a commercial sheep and cattle farm in Indiana. He went to the University of Kentucky and then stayed after graduation. He has been working within the field of safety roles for the past 15 years. He has worked in state and local roles for Kentucky. He is a CERT member, a past member of the Civil Air Patrol, and KCCRB. Cameron started with the division in December 2021 and serves as the CSEPP Exercise Coordinator for Fayette County.


Mark Samuelson
CSEPP Planner
Phone: (859) 280-8053
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Mark started as a CSEPP Planner in January 2022. He retired from the Lexington Fire Department after 25 years, the last nine years as the District Major for the south side of Lexington. There he was a paramedic, technical rescue technician, hazmat technician, and the EOC Coordinator for ESF 4, 9, and 10. During his time with the LFD, he deployed to Beaumont, TX after Hurricane Rita (2005) and functioned as the Incident Commander on many responses in Lexington.

Mark graduated from Miami (OH) University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. He volunteers with the Boy Scouts as a unit leader and merit badge counselor, field manager for the Lafayette HS Boys Lacrosse team, member of the Lafayette HS Football boosters, and field crew with the “Pride of the Bluegrass” Lafayette Marching Band. 


Ashley Walo picture

Ashley Walo
Emergency Management Planner
Phone: (859) 280-8062

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Ashley started as the Planning Coordinator in September 2022. She received her bachelor’s degree in Emergency and Disaster Management from American Military University with Magna Cum Laude distinction. During her time at American Military University, Ashley focused her degree around Ashley focused her studies about homeland security issues and natural disaster mitigation, response and recovery.. She previously worked for the State within the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. She is the mother of two boys. Her husband is an Active Duty member of the U.S. Navy. Ashley is excited to be a part of the Division of Emergency Management and will continue to expand her knowledge of Kentucky.


Dale Meade
Administrative Specialist
Phone: (859) 280-8059

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Dale came to the Division of Emergency Management in October 2022 with over 25 years of experience in accounting and finance. She is responsible for the financial management of grants and general fund accounts as well as payroll, payables, insurance, and budget preparation. She also helps with Emergency Operations Center and mock disaster trainings, manages procurements, and coordinates reporting. When not in the office, Dale enjoys sunshine, long walks, and the beach as well as being active in scouts and Bible study.


Lauryn McArthur
CSEPP AFN/LEP Coordinator
Phone: (859) 280-8057

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Lauryn is the access and functional needs coordinator for Lexington Emergency Management.  In that role, she develops and integrates access and functional needs materials into all of the division’s efforts as well as content that deals with residents with low English language proficiency. She is originally from Champaign, Illinois, and played NCAA Division III Softball. Lauryn will graduate in May 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security, a minor in Disaster Management, and a certificate in German Culture and Conversation from Eastern Kentucky University.

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