About
Randall Mathews
Randall Mathews, Assistant Director, has more than 14 years of combined experience in emergency management and military operations. During his tenure at Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA), Randall has assumed multiple responsibilities to include overseeing all planning, hazard mitigation and operational functions for CEMA as well as the Chatham County Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
During EOC activations, Randall acts as the EOC Manager and ensures that all EOC coordination and operational functions are carried out timely and competently. Activation of the EOC for multiple hurricanes and tropical storms, tornadoes and other events of critical significance, including the 2018 C-130 plane crash allow Randall to execute his leadership experience he has garnered from his prior military and emergency management background. Most recently, Randall served as the Chatham County EOC Manager during Hurricane Dorian, coordinating the preparation, evacuation and response efforts across Chatham County.
In 2018, Randall, a Georgia Certified Emergency Manager, received the International Association of Emergency Management (IAEM) Technology & Innovation Award. This award recognized Randall for his integral role in developing a damage assessment process that incorporates social vulnerability to prioritize these assessments. Development of this process stemmed from Chatham County’s need for faster damage assessments after a disaster to ensure impacted communities receive the assistance needed. Randall’s role in developing this process has gained attention from various emergency management partners.
Prior to joining CEMA in 2014, Randall served in the Marine Corps Infantry from 2006-2010. During his military service, Randall spent over two years across various deployments supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. During these deployments, Randall assisted in carrying out various combat operations. His effective leadership style led him to successfully conduct over 700 combat patrols during his deployments to Iraq.
At the end of his military enlistment, Randall still desired to serve his country in a different capacity. Randall went on to attend Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, NY and by May, 2012 he had earned an A.A.S. in Homeland Security and Disaster Preparedness. Randall then moved to Savannah to pursue his Bachelor's Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management at Savannah State University and graduated with Magna Cum Laude honors in December, 2014. Randall is currently pursuing a Master’s of Public Administration from the University of West Georgia and anticipates to graduate Summer, 2021.