Full Notification

SANTA BARBARA, CA: January 12, 2015 – The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has appointed a new Deputy Director. Robert M. Troy will primarily oversee day-to-day operations of the Emergency Operations Center and represent the Director in his absence.

Since 2005 Robert managed the Emergency Management branch for the City of Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management & Communications (OEMC) and coordinated planning and response activities with City, State, Federal, and private agencies. He oversaw the City’s Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) program, the City’s implementation of WebEOC, and served as Co-Chair of the Regional Catastrophic Planning Team’s Intergovernmental Sub-Committee, and functioned as the OEMC representative on the Area Maritime Security Committee and worked closely with the Cook County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

Deputy Director Troy said, “Santa Barbara County is one of the most vibrant and beautiful places in the country, and California is consistently a leader in the field of emergency management. I’m eager to work with the local public safety community and look forward to building lasting and effective professional relationships.”

Prior to working in Emergency Management, Robert was a Supervising Investigator for the Chicago Police Department’s Office of Professional Standards, where he directed administrative investigations of officer-involved shooting incidents and deaths in police custody. He directed a team of nine Investigators and ten administrative Intake Aides, and coordinated the unit’s Internship program.

OEM Director Ryan Rockabrand stated, “I had the distinct pleasure of working with Robert during my tenure in Chicago. I learned a great deal from him and I have no doubt he will make a tremendous contribution throughout our Operational Area. He brings the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to make OEM a successful partner in our region and will provide the required operational tempo to sustain our Emergency Operations Center.”

Robert is a native of Chicago but grew up in many different parts of the United States. He has a B.A. in English from Ohio State University. He and his wife, Eleanor, are happy to now call Santa Barbara County home.