Avery D. Niles, Commissioner Department of Juvenile Justice Scott Mall 3408 Covington Highway . Decatur, Georgia . 30032-1513 Office of Communications Telephone: (404) 508-7147 . Fax: (404) 508-7341

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jim Shuler January 24, 2017 DJJ Communications (404) 508-7147 [email protected] DJJ FOCUS ON SAFETY: DJJ Planning & Preparedness Director Appointed to Executive Board of Georgia Emergency Management Association

(ATLANTA, GA) Commissioner Avery D. Niles is pleased to announce that the Director of Planning and Preparedness for the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) has been appointed to serve on the Executive Board of the Emergency Management Association of Georgia (EMAG). Scott Cagle, who oversees safety and ‘all hazards’ emergency planning for DJJ’s secure juvenile facilities, was appointed to the EMAG Executive Board at its 58th Annual Business Meeting in Young Harris. Cagle also will serve a two-year term as EMAG Chaplain.

The appointment was made by newly elected EMAG President, Don Graham, who is also Fire Chief and Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director for Jones County, Georgia. Cagle served 23 years with Hall County Fire Services before retiring as the Fire Marshal, Deputy EMA Director and Chief of Planning and Preparedness. His DJJ duties include providing leadership to correctional staff in all phases of emergency preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation. He is positioned as DJJ’s primary point of contact with the Georgia Emergency Management Homeland Security Agency (GEMHSA).

EMAG assists community emergency management efforts in saving lives and protecting property from the effects of disasters. It provides a professional forum for discussion of current issues in the emergency management field; and it serves as a policy advisory board to both local emergency management agencies and to State of Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency functions. Commissioner Niles endorsed the benefit of a strong EMAG relationship in serving Georgia.

‘Safety & Security’ are considered Priority Number One at the Department of Juvenile Justice. Cagle’s primary duties are to maintain the safety of DJJ youth and staff and to ensure that staff members remain confident in times of natural or man-made emergencies. His public safety background includes certifications as a Georgia Peace Officer, Firefighter and a nationally registered Emergency Medical Technician.

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“Director Cagle has many years of firefighting, all hazards preparedness and experience managing Emergency Operations Center responses during many types of critical incidents,” said Commissioner Niles.

“It is an honor to be asked to serve on the EMAG Executive Board. The organization represents and serves emergency management objectives in all 159 Georgia counties,” Cagle said. “The Department of Juvenile Justice has 26 secure facilities and 96 court services offices located in many counties throughout the state that will benefit from DJJ’S continued professional relationship with EMAG,” Cagle said.

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To read about what you can do to help your family plan and prepare against fire, extreme weather and other disasters, visit DJJ’s Planning & Preparedness newsletter posted on the “News & Views” webpage at http://www.djjnewsandviews.org/whatsnewatdjj/viewnews.asp?newsID=463

ABOUT DJJ The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is a multi-faceted agency that serves the needs of this state`s young offenders up to the age of 21. The Department employs more than 4,000 men and women at 26 secure facilities and 97 community services offices throughout the state to effect justice and redirect the young lives in the agency`s care.

Including those who are placed on probation, more than 50,000 youths are diverted each year to evidence-based community programs, sentenced to short-term incarceration or committed to the Department`s long-term custody by the Juvenile Courts. It is the duty of DJJ’s professional corrections staff to preserve public safety and safeguard the citizens of Georgia, as well as protect the victims of crimes so that they can rebuild their lives.

At the same time, DJJ holds juvenile offenders accountable for their delinquent conduct so that they can take responsibility for their actions through probation, supervision and secure detention. The youth are provided with medical and psychological treatment, as well as specialized education and programs designed to equip them with the social, intellectual and emotional tools needed to achieve their successful reentry and reintegration into community, workplace and neighborhood settings as more productive and law-abiding citizens.

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