FARMINGTON – Sylvia Yeaton, a retired school teacher, has been hired to fill a part-time temporary special projects position in the Franklin County Emergency Management Agency.

County EMA Director Tim Hardy received an $11,666 grant for the 20-week job to help connect with people who may need special services if an emergency strikes.

They received four applications and a search committee interviewed two applicants, Hardy told county commissioners meeting Monday.

Yeaton, of Farmington, was selected for the job and started work on Nov. 13.

Commissioners previously granted the committee hiring authority for the job.

“We’re going to focus on identifying location of areas throughout the county where individuals with special needs are located so if a situation arises, we will have a general idea where this population is located,” Hardy said after the commissioners’ meeting.

Yeaton was working on a laptop computer in the basement of the county courthouse in the mapping room adjacent to the EMA office Monday.

She was an elementary school teacher, third grade, during most of her 35 years as an educator, Yeaton said.

“It’s interesting. I think it’s needed,” Yeaton said. “It’s important to know where people will be able to find shelter in emergencies.”

Hardy said Yeaton will gather information to create a database that will be inserted into the county emergency operation plan.

Yeaton will be making contacts and, if time allows, be doing some basic education with people to help get them ready for emergencies, Hardy said.

“It’s different way for me to look at the community,” Yeaton said. “I’ve always looked at it through as an elementary school teacher. We always had to prepare at the elementary school. I find it interesting.”