BALD HEAD ISLAND, N.C. – The Village of Bald Head Island is pleased to announce the arrival of Paul Anderson as its new Emergency Services Director. Anderson’s employment with the Village begins today.
Anderson joins us from the Tucson Fire Department in Arizona, a department of approximately 650 personnel, where he most recently served as Deputy Chief. His background includes extensive operational command experience and supervisory leadership, along with direct involvement in emergency management coordination and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) functions.
“Throughout the interview process, Paul demonstrated a leadership style grounded in professionalism, approachability, and a genuine ability to connect with people. I feel confident he will be a good fit for the Department of Public Safety as we continue to advance our organization,” said Village Manager Chris McCall.
During the announcement of Anderson’s hiring at the April 17 Village Council meeting, McCall noted that this hire reflects the direction the Village has been working toward in establishing a comprehensive Emergency Services Director model. This structure is intended to strengthen unified command, emergency management coordination, and all-hazards preparedness across the organization.
As part of that model, the Emergency Services Director will provide overall leadership, policy direction, and coordination for the Department of Public Safety. The Director will work closely with administration, while continuing to rely on the strong operational leadership we have within Command Staff with Deputy Chief Phil Horne (Law Enforcement Division) and Deputy Chief Buddy Brooks (Fire/EMS Division).
Specifically, Deputy Chief Horne will serve as the agency’s highest-ranking sworn law enforcement officer, responsible for upholding the laws of the Village and overseeing all law enforcement operations. In this capacity, Deputy Chief Horne will report directly to the Emergency Services Director to ensure continuity, accountability, and professional standards within the law enforcement division.
Similarly, Deputy Chief Buddy Brooks will continue to oversee all fire suppression, emergency medical services, and related operations for the department, reporting directly to the Emergency Services Director, and serve alongside Deputy Chief Horne as part of Command Staff.
“I am humbled and excited to have been chosen as the next Director of Emergency Services for the Village of Bald Head Island,” said Anderson. “I look forward to working alongside the outstanding professionals within the Department of Public Safety to continue providing the highest level of service for the residents and visitors of Bald Head Island.”
