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COLUMBUS—Bobby Arledge, the Polk County Emergency Management Director and Fire Marshal, has been nominated for a prestigious Heroic Hands award. The announcement was made by Commissioner Myron Yoder during the Board of Commissioners meeting on March 17.

The nomination comes as part of an initiative led by Tare Davis, President of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners. Davis introduced a presidential initiative titled “Heroic Hands: Celebrating Public Service.” This initiative aims to emphasize the importance of public service careers, advocate for workforce training in local government, and establish a robust pipeline for future public service employees.

“Our goal is to raise awareness during community events that honor the public service workforce and promote the life-saving skills associated with various public service careers,” Davis said. “We must choose to invest in our future workforce. We must train, and we must work to advance from within.”

During the meeting, Yoder explained Arledge’s nomination. 

“Under the initiative of the organization’s president, we were asked to find a nominee in each of our districts for heroic hands,” he said. “Bobby Arledge always has to be listening to that phone, and when he thinks he’s got the storm done, here comes a fire. I just want to thank you, especially for that, for all the time you spend. We don’t see all the hours you put in and all the time you spend at the emergency center and all those things you do.”

Arledge will be featured in a book across the state highlighting nominees from all 100 counties in the state. 

“And you may even represent us before our legislature in Raleigh,” Yoder noted.

In response, Arledge thanked the commissioners for the honor. 

His nomination underscores the commitment and sacrifices made by those in public service, reflecting the spirit of community support that drives Polk County forward. 

As the initiative unfolds, the NCACC will continue to engage county leaders to help raise awareness and appreciation for the essential services provided by local government employees, ensuring a brighter future for public service careers in North Carolina.