(Sydney) – A celebration of one of the key figures in the Fremont County government and KMA Rand Emergency Management Director was held in Sydney on Saturday morning.
Family and friends flocked to the meetinghouse for the retirement brunch of Mike Cresselius, who is leaving the office on Tuesday after serving as the county’s emergency management coordinator for 15 years. Cresselius led the county’s emergency response during the historic Missouri River floods of 2011 and 2019, the December 2021 Derecho, numerous tornadoes, snowstorms, ice storms, and other conditions. Cresselius told KMA News he was humbled by the brunch attendees.
“Well, considering my wife was in charge of it and tried to surprise me, I’m very impressed,” said Cresselius. I don’t know if I’m here to see them off or to see them on their way home (laughs).
“No, I feel like we survived two floods in the county in 2011 and 2019. I have a lot of relatives here, but there are a lot of people in the western part of the county that I helped. “Even during the two floods, it means a lot to me that they were here.”
Cresselius said three key principles he learned as a Marine have helped him and the county cope with various disasters over the past decade and a half. It is improvisation, adaptation and overcoming.
“Marines teach us to take care of our people,” he said. “That’s what I’ve been doing for 15 years. I’ve been taking care of people because I think of the people of this county as my people. I have to take care of them.” That’s what got me back.” The thing I wanted to do when I got home was to do something for the people here.
“During my time in the Marine Corps, I called Fremont County home, and that’s why I came back here. I wanted to do something for the county and its people.”
Cresselius says the people he misses the most about his job are the people. Perhaps the biggest thing he doesn’t miss is the spread of rumors that complicate any disaster response. That’s why he says he’s grateful to local media like the KMA for getting the right information.
“I really enjoyed people calling and talking to me,” Cresselius said. “That way, I could get information through my Facebook page and quell rumors started by people who really didn’t know what was going on.”
On Wednesday, Clayton Long was formally appointed as the county’s EMC to replace Cresselius. Long credits Cresselius with helping him learn the ropes of his new job, he said. Among other things, Long says his predecessor has stressed not to be discouraged.
“I don’t know everything now,” said Long, “and I won’t know for a while. Mike doesn’t always have all the answers either. The fact that he turns out to be a human being.” “I am motivated to stay positive. But yeah, I have some big tasks to fulfill.”
What are Cresselius’ retirement plans?
“Well, it depends who you talk to,” he said. “Teresa has a two-page list of things she wants me to do in her house, but I tell her that’s fine until hunting season comes and she’s nice. I did.”
Cresselius’ wife Teresa is the former Ringgold County Emergency Management Coordinator. A number of KMAland County emergency officials attended Saturday’s event.
