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Politics

Ready to step in if necessary

By WILL VAN SANT
Published February 19, 2007

CLEARWATER - With Pinellas County Emergency Management director Gary Vickers facing a long recovery from an auto accident, his top deputy may be in charge when hurricane season begins June 1.

If that comes to pass, it would mark the first time in five years that someone other than Vickers was heading up storm preparedness and response in Pinellas at the start of the six-month season.

Taking charge would be Sally Bishop, 43, an experienced emergency management hand who since June 2005 has been Vickers' second in command.

Pinellas County Administrator Steve Spratt said Vickers is expected to recover and return to work, but that he has serious injuries and may be out for some time.

Spratt said he's confident Bishop is up to the task.

"I believe she's capable of running the department in the interim," Spratt said. "And I'm willing to step in myself if need be. I've been through many emergency activizations."

Vickers, 53, was at the wheel of his car Tuesday night, heading home on a wet Countryside Boulevard after having visited his daughter.

About 10:30 p.m., just south of State Road 580, Vickers apparently lost control of his car and struck a tree. He suffered a fractured neck, broken clavicle and sternum and a bruised heart.

Clearwater police say there is no evidence that alcohol was involved in the incident. A preexisting medical condition, they said, may have contributed to the crash, which remains under investigation.

Vickers was taken to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg in critical condition. He remained in critical condition Sunday afternoon.

"We're just rooting for him to recover as quickly as possible so that he can get back to what he enjoys," Spratt said. "But we have to make sure he takes the time he needs."

Bishop worked for the county's emergency management department from 1986 until 1993. She then held several jobs with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and worked as a private consultant before coming back to the county.

While Bishop is hoping Vickers can return before the hurricane season starts, she says she's ready to lead the department in his absence.

"I have been working side by side with Gary," Bishop said. "I feel totally prepared with where we are at and what we are doing."

Will Van Sant can be reached at vansant@sptimes.com or 445-4166.

[Last modified February 19, 2007, 07:05:21]