Administrative Staff

Joey Cooper
Director

Joey started with Wilson County Emergency Management Agency in October 1989. Joey was promoted to Lieutenant on 1995 and Shift Commander in 1999. Joey served as Shift Commander for A shift for 15 years prior to being appointed Director in November 2013. He accepts the Director position with a strong background in Emergency Medical Services, Fire Suppression, Hazardous Materials, and Emergency Management.

Jeremy Hobbs
Fire Chief

Jeremy started Wilson County Emergency Management Agency in 1997 as a volunteer and started full time shift in 2000. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2004, A shift Commander in 2014 and Chief of Fire in 2016. Jeremy is an Advanced EMT, Firefighter, Rescue Diver, Swift Water Technician, and Hazardous Materials Technician. He holds certifications as a Fire Instructor and Vehicle Extrication Instructor. Jeremy is responsible for Fire, Rescue and Special Operations within the Department. Jeremy is part of the newly formed Incident Management team for Middle Tennessee.

Brian Newberry
EMS Chief/Deputy Director

Brian started with Wilson County Emergency Management Agency in August 1990. He is a Paramedic, Fire Fighter, Hazardous Materials Technician, and Tactical Paramedic. Brian has several instructor certifications including EMT. He served as the Training Officer from 1999 to 2010 and as a tactical paramedic with the Wilson County Sheriff’s Department from 2001 til present. Brian was promoted to EMS Chief September 2010. Brian is responsible for all EMS operations within the Department.

Shannon Cooper
Training Division Chief

Shannon started with Wilson County Emergency Management Agency in 2005. She is a Paramedic, Fire Fighter, and Haz-Mat Specialist. Shannon has full time responsibilities of instructing and/or managing classes in Emergency Medical Services, Fire Suppression, Rescue, Water Rescue, and Hazardous Materials. She has numerous instructor certifications that allow us to being high quality courses to the training division. Shannon is part of the newly formed Incident Management team for Middle Tennessee.

Marty Heckman
Logistics Division Chief

Marty started with Wilson County Emergency Management Agency in 1997 as a volunteer. Marty started full time as Captain in 2004. He is an Advanced EMT, Fire Fighter, and Hazards Materials Technician. Marty serves as the Logistics Division Chief and oversees of the Volunteer and Communications Division.

Daniel Cowan
Fire Marshal

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Tamara Felts
Planning Specialist

Tamara started as a volunteer for Wilson County Emergency Management Agency for 7 years before being hired full time in 1993. She was promoted to Lieutenant in 1997 and Planning Specialist in 2023. She is dedicated to her community by being involved in many nonprofit organizations, while also holding her Fire Investigator and Fire Inspector Licenses.

James Copas
"A" Shift Commander

James is a Navy Veteran having served in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He started with Wilson County Emergency Management Agency in 2004 as a dispatcher, moving to shift in 2006. James was promoted to Lieutenant in 2012 and appointed Shift Commander in 2016. He is an AEMT, Firefighter, Fire Instructor, Fire Officer, and HazMat Technician. He oversees daily operations for A shift.

Lee Bowling
"B" Shift Commander

Lee started with Wilson County Emergency Management Agency in 1993. Lee started as a dispatcher in 1993, went to full time on C shift in 1994. Lee is a Paramedic, Fire Fighter and Haz-Mat Technician. Lee was promoted to Lieutenant in 2000 and appointed Shift Commander of B shift in 2004. He oversees daily operations for B shift.

Eric Eldridge
"C" Shift Commander

Eric has been with Wilson County Emergency Management Agency for 25 years. He holds a Masters Degree in Homeland Security and a Bachelors Degree in Fire Administration and investigation. He holds an AEMT license, Hazmat Specialist and Hazmat Instructor, as well as a Fire Instructor and Fire Officer. Eric was promoted to Lieutenant in 2003, Captain in 2018 and appointed Shift Commander in 2023. He oversees daily operations for C shift.

Josh Cross
Compliance Specialist

Josh has been with Wilson County Emergency Management Agency for 15 years. He holds an Associates of Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services. Josh is a Critical Care Paramedic for the State of Tennessee. He holds numbers of instructor certificates in various disciplines. Josh was promoted to Compliance Specialist in October of 2022.

Suzanne McKinney
Finance Manager

Suzanne started with Wilson County Emergency Management Agency in June 2015. She was hired as a full time billing coordinator in our billing department. Suzanne, who holds a Business and Finance degree (BBA) from Cumberland University was promoted to Finance Manager in June 2018. The Finance Manger oversees all financial needs and purchases for the department, payroll needs, and all accounts payable and receivable. She assist in budget planning and needs assessments for our department. She also remains an active participant in our local chamber of commerce and sits on the panel for CASA, a local child advocate group.