About the Deputy Director of Emergency Management
Timothy R. Cooper, M.A, CEM, CBCP serves as the Deputy Director of Public Safety – Emergency Management for Sussex County, where he leads the County’s Emergency Management Division and oversees the implementation of the Sussex County Emergency Management Program. He is responsible for coordinating all phases of emergency management, including prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. His responsibilities include managing the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), maintaining the Sussex County Emergency Operations Plan (SCEOP), coordinating training and exercises, supporting large-scale incidents, overseeing the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), and leading community preparedness initiatives throughout Sussex County.
Cooper began his public safety career with Sussex County EMS, serving as a paramedic and EMS administrator before transitioning into emergency management. Prior to returning to Sussex County in 2024, he served for more than a decade with the Delaware Division of Public Health as Director of the Office of Preparedness, where he led statewide emergency preparedness programs and supported numerous public health emergencies, including the COVID-19 response. He also previously served as the Region IV Hospital Preparedness Coordinator for the Maryland Department of Health.
Working closely with local, state, federal, private-sector, and nonprofit partners, Cooper leads initiatives that strengthen the County’s preparedness and resilience through planning, training, exercises, public outreach, and volunteer programs, including the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Auxiliary Communications (AUXCOMM). He also oversees emergency preparedness grant programs and works with partners including the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), FEMA, the Delaware National Guard, and the American Red Cross.
Tim earned an associate’s degree in Emergency Services Management from Delaware Technical Community College, a Bachelor of Science degree in Emergency Management from Jacksonville State University, and a Master of Arts degree in Homeland Security from American Public University. He is a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) and a Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP). In addition to his professional role, Tim serves as an Adjunct Instructor for the College of Health Professions and Natural Sciences at Wilmington University, where he teaches Health Emergency Management and Disaster Management in Public Health—courses he developed. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling with his family, playing golf, and volunteering with his local church.