Reggie Harrison, deputy city manager and acting director of the Long Beach Airport, was named director of disaster preparedness and emergency communications

Harrison will remain the airport’s acting director until the post is filled by the end of the year, said a report in the Press Telegram. 

Harrison will become the first permanent director of the new department responsible for disaster preparedness, Homeland Security grant coordination and the consolidation and oversight of the city’s emergency communications functions.

Harrison led studies in 2005 and 2011 on the city’s emergency communications and dispatch center, and eventually the city decided to consolidate the dispatch center to improve customer service and achieve greater efficiencies.

In the past several years, Harrison also has coordinated the city’s $9 million annual Homeland Security grant programm said the Press Telegram.