The Linn County Emergency Commission is pleased to announce the hiring of BJ Dvorak as the new Emergency Management Agency (EMA) coordinator. Dvorak, the current plans and exercises officer with the agency, was selected from amongst the 30 applicants for the coordinator position. He began his job duties April 9. He replaces outgoing EMA coordinator Steven O’Konek, who retired from the agency after over four years of service. Linn County EMA operations officer Tom Ulrich will serve as interim-coordinator until Dvorak assumes the position.
Dvorak earned an associate of applied sciences degree in police science from Hawkeye Community College and a bachelor of science degree in public administration from Upper Iowa University.
He has been the Linn County EMA plans and exercises officer since July 2019. He has also served as a supply management officer with the US Department of Health and Human Services since January 2012.
Prior to working for Linn County EMA, Dvorak served as the emergency management and security coordinator at Mercy Hospital and the plans officer with the Johnson County EMA.
Dvorak has obtained his emergency manager certification from the Iowa Emergency Management Association and has received certified emergency manager status through the International Association of Emergency Managers. He has also obtained the professional development series certification through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Dvorak is also a volunteer firefighter/EMT with the Tiffin Fire Department.