Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

County OES Coordinator Named

Nevada County now has a new Office of Emergency Services coordinator.

Charles Backus was named the new OES director by Nevada County Judge John W. Barham Thursday, Aug. 8.

Backus is originally from the West Coast, but was raised primarily in Delaware on the eastern seaboard because his father was in the Navy.

Backus, himself, spent 21 years in the Army, recently retiring from the service.

However, while in the military, Backus had assignments at Ouachita Baptist University, in Arkadelphia, with the ROTC where he met his wife, Vickye Robbins, who is from Gurdon originally.

During his stint with the Army, Backus did volunteer work with volunteer fire departments in Louisiana. But his military duties forced him to cut back on his volunteer efforts.

He moved to the area in March staying with his in-laws while buying a house in Laneburg, which he and his wife moved into in April.

Vickye is a registered nurse, working with Medical Park Hospital in Hope.

The sudden move from Louisiana to Arkansas occurred because the Backus' home there sold in three weeks, instead of the six months he expected.

This forced them to move in with the Robbins family until the house they were buying closed.

"It's a great community," he said of Laneburg. "The people are friendly and helpful."

In an attempt to get involved in the community, Backus applied for the OES job. After dropping his resume off at the County Judge's Office, he got a call, was interviewed and subsequently hired.

However, Backus was not the only person to apply or be interviewed. Barham said he was chosen because of his background and he has the time to dedicate to the office, while many other applicants didn't have the time the job requires.

"I'll look at this as a full-time job," Backus said of the OES position.

His first priority will be getting to know those involved in area fire departments and finding out when classes will be held on emergency services so he can attend.

Backus lauded the late OES director, Charles Ray Cross, saying he had the office well established. "I plan on picking up where he left off," he said. "I want the people to know I'm here to help them and give the same service Cross established."

Now that he's retired from the service, Backus said he's taken up hunting and fishing again. He also enjoys reading, primarily mysteries written by authors such as Raymond Chandler, Agatha Christie and Mickey Spillane.

He and his wife have been attending Laneburg Baptist Church, where they may soon join.

"We feel welcome here," Backus said of the region. "The area is quiet and peaceful. The people are friendly. I feel great having this chance to work for the community."

Those needing to get in touch with Backus on OES business can do so by calling 887-3882.