Bedford County Names New Emergency Management Coordinator

BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. — Bedford County has selected an experienced emergency management professional with deep ties to Virginia's public safety community as its next Emergency Management Coordinator.

County Administrator Robert Hiss announced that Cole Taggart will assume the position on Aug. 17.

Taggart comes to Bedford County from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, where he has served as an All-Hazards Planner since 2020. In that role, he worked with 23 localities across VDEM Region 6, helping strengthen emergency preparedness through emergency operations planning, continuity planning, risk assessments and coordination among local, state and federal agencies.

Prior to joining VDEM, Taggart served as Deputy Coordinator of Emergency Management at Virginia Military Institute, where he earned his degree. He also has experience as a part-time Emergency Wildland Firefighter with the Virginia Department of Forestry and previously volunteered with Nelson County Emergency Services and Wintergreen Fire & Rescue, where he first developed an interest in emergency services.

Taggart has earned several professional certifications, including FEMA's Basic Emergency Management Academy certification and Firefighter I/Hazardous Materials Operations certifications.

"I am very honored to join such a resilient community that works tirelessly to build and maintain capability," Taggart said. "The opportunity to coordinate the agencies who partner with and serve the citizens of Bedford County to prepare for, respond to and recover from disaster is humbling. I look forward to engaging across each aspect of the Bedford area through preparedness efforts."

Hiss said Taggart's regional experience and collaborative approach made him a strong fit for the position.

"Cole brings a lifelong passion for emergency management and recognizes that lasting program success is built on strong, trusted relationships," Hiss said. "His VDEM experience in our region provides a perspective and connection that will benefit our public safety agencies. I look forward to him joining our leadership team to assist Bedford County in becoming a better prepared and more resilient community."