Madison Co. emergency management director fired

Madison County Emergency Management Director Butch Hammack has been fired.

In a 4-1 vote, Madison County supervisors voted to fire Hammack during Tuesday's board meeting, District 1 supervisor Sheila Jones confirmed Thursday. District 3 Supervisor Gerald Steen was the dissenting vote.

Board president Trey Baxter said Tom Lariviere, the retired Madison Fire Chief, will be serving as the interim director.

Hammack, who had served in the role for 12 years, said Thursday the move was unexpected "but I'm doing good."

"It was a great opportunity, the best 12 years of my life," Hammack said. "It was an honor to have had the privilege to serve Madison County. I was blessed to have that job, God gave it to me and I'm giving him all the glory for it. I would do it again if the opportunity presented itself."

Contact Sarah Fowler at sfowler@gannett.com or 601-961-7303. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.