CONNERSVILLE — After stepping up to run donation hubs and direct volunteer crews following recent flash flooding, Maleiah Ottinger is officially on the job with Fayette County Emergency Management under a newly funded agreement.
The contract brings Ottinger on board as an independent consultant at $20 an hour to help coordinate emergency projects and volunteer operations. The Fayette County Board of Commissioners backed the agreement earlier this week, and the Fayette County Council officially approved the funding during their meeting later that evening.
Emergency Management Director Wade Walling introduced Ottinger to county commissioners to publicly recognize her work before heading to the council for the money.
“This is Maleiah Ottinger. She’s been an absolute godsend for us and with the help that she’s provided volunteers,” Walling told commissioners. “Without having her help in this capacity, I would be failing my job right now.”
Ottinger threw herself into local relief efforts right after historic flooding slammed Connersville and nearby communities. She quickly took charge of organizing volunteer teams, sorting stacks of donated clothes and food, and making sure basic necessities reached families forced out of damaged homes.
Under the agreement, Ottinger will work directly with emergency management to track volunteer support, coordinate incoming supplies, and keep county recovery projects moving forward in the weeks ahead..
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