Coweta County has announced that Nic Burgess, a seasoned emergency management professional and lifelong resident, has been appointed as the new 911/EMA Director, a change effective today. With his roots deeply entrenched in the community and substantial experience in emergency services, Burgess is set to take the helm and continue fostering growth and enhancing communication within the 911/EMA team, as per the county's announcement.
"I am excited to take on this new responsibility and continue to learn and grow with our 911/EMA team," said Burgess in his statement. He went on to acknowledge the support system that has propelled him to this role, “I would like to thank God, my family, and my many mentors that have guided and supported me on the path to this opportunity. My goal is to continue to enhance communication, grow our team, protect the first responders we work with, and build upon the strong relationships we have built with over the last several years. In emergency management, fostering relationships with internal and external agencies on blue sky days is crucial so we are prepared on dark sky days.” His tenure in local emergency services began with the Newnan Fire Department and later transitioned to the EMA Coordinator for Coweta County, where he managed vital emergency response resources and activities, as mentioned on the county's official website.
Burgess's track record includes guiding the county through significant crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating EF-4 tornado in March 2021. His dedication and proficiency in emergency management have earned him advancements, most recently to the position of Assistant Director in March 2025, setting the stage for his current leadership position.
Educationally armed with a Bachelor of Science degree in Emergency Management and Homeland Security, and a Master of Science in Emergency Management from Jacksonville State University, Burgess also holds prestigious certifications in the field. These accomplishments place him in an advantageous position to execute one of his first major projects as director: deploying an updated enterprise computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system funded by the 2025 SPLOST initiative. The project promises to enhance public safety coordination across all agencies in Coweta County, ensuring that the community benefits from cutting-edge technology situated at the forefront of emergency management strategies.
Coweta County Administrator, Michael Fouts praised Burgess's commitment to his community, "We are incredibly fortunate to have Nic Burgess not only serving our community, but being a leader within Coweta County Government," he shared. Per the official announcement on Coweta County’s website, the decision to appoint Burgess aligns with the county's investment in enhancing emergency management capabilities and improving community safety infrastructure.
Burgess, who currently lives in Moreland with his wife and two daughters, comes from a family imbued with community service ideals, as underlined by his father Jeff Burgess's recent election as Mayor of Moreland. Alongside the launch of a new Coweta County 911/EMA Facebook page, these developments mark a renewed vigor toward strengthening Coweta County's able response and communication in the face of emergencies.
