Ms. Abigail Watkins has built a distinguished career marked by steady leadership, guiding communities through times of disaster and uncertainty..
Ms. Abigail Watkins has worked in emergency management for almost 20 years in Newaygo County, Michigan. She is the county’s first full-time Emergency Services Director. She has helped lead efforts during big natural disasters and health emergencies. She also works to make sure the county is prepared for future emergencies by working with local, regional, and state teams.
Facts about Ms. Abigail Watkins
| Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Abigail “Abby” Watkins |
| Known As | Ms. Abigail Watkins |
| Profession | Emergency Management Professional |
| Current Role | Emergency Services Director |
| County | Newaygo County, Michigan |
| Appointment Year | January 2007 |
| Notable Distinction | First full-time Emergency Services Director in Newaygo County |
| Years of Experience | 20+ years in emergency management |
| Education | Associate of Science in Business Management |
| Certifications | Certified Professional Emergency Manager |
| Instructor Credentials | CERT Instructor, Incident Command System Instructor |
| Major Disaster Responses | 2 Presidential declarations; 3 gubernatorial declarations |
| Key Leadership Roles | Chair, LEPC; Chair, Region 6 Homeland Security Planning Board |
| State-Level Service | Michigan Dam Safety Task Force; MI Citizen-CERT Council |
| Awards | MI Emergency Manager of the Year (2024); Wildfire Mitigation Award (2018) |
| Professional Focus | Disaster response, preparedness, mitigation, public safety coordination |
Early Life and Background
Abigail “Abby” Watkins’s career reflects a long-standing commitment to structured preparedness and responsible public administration. While many professionals enter emergency management later in their careers, Watkins built her expertise steadily over time, gaining experience across state and local systems that demand precision, adaptability, and strong interpersonal skills.
Her background in Business Management, supported by an Associate of Science degree, provided an early foundation in organizational operations, resource allocation, and administrative oversight. These skills would later prove essential in emergency management, a field where logistical coordination and fiscal responsibility are as important as rapid response.
From the outset, Watkins demonstrated an understanding that emergency services are not defined solely by crisis moments, but by the planning, training, and partnerships developed long before disasters occur.
Appointment as Newaygo County’s First Full-Time Emergency Services Director
In January 2007, Watkins was appointed as Newaygo County’s first full-time Emergency Services Director, a milestone that marked a shift toward a more comprehensive and professionalized emergency management structure within the county. At the time, many rural and mid-sized jurisdictions relied on part-time or shared emergency coordination, often limiting long-term preparedness efforts.
Watkins’s appointment signaled a commitment to proactive planning and continuous readiness. Her role encompasses responsibility for disaster response planning, emergency operations coordination, public safety exercises, and collaboration with fire, medical, and law enforcement agencies throughout the county.
Over the years, this position has placed Watkins at the center of nearly every major emergency response affecting Newaygo County, requiring both strategic leadership and hands-on coordination.
Leading Through Major Disasters and Countywide Emergencies
One of the defining aspects of Ms. Abigail Watkins’s career has been her leadership during large-scale emergencies. During her tenure, she has coordinated responses to two Presidential disaster declarations, including one for severe flooding and another related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, she has overseen three gubernatorial disaster declarations tied to storms and flooding events.
These incidents demanded close coordination with state and federal agencies, including the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division and federal disaster relief partners. Watkins’s role involved managing emergency operations centers, aligning local response efforts with state and federal protocols, and ensuring that resources reached affected communities efficiently.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, her leadership extended beyond traditional emergency response into public health coordination, logistical planning, and sustained community communication.
Education, Certifications, and Professional Training
Watkins’s effectiveness as an emergency services leader is grounded in extensive professional training and certification. She holds the designation of Certified Professional Emergency Manager, a credential that reflects advanced competency in emergency planning, mitigation, response, and recovery.
Beyond certification, Watkins has completed instructor-level training through both state and federal agencies. Her credentials include Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) instructor qualifications and Incident Command System (ICS) instructor certifications. These roles enable her not only to manage emergencies but also to train first responders, volunteers, and public safety partners in standardized response systems.
Oversight of Countywide Emergency Programs
As Emergency Services Director, Ms. Abigail Watkins oversees a broad portfolio of county emergency programs. Her responsibilities include coordinating fire and emergency medical services, organizing disaster response exercises, and maintaining operational readiness across departments.
Under her leadership, Newaygo County has conducted numerous preparedness drills designed to test response capabilities before real-world incidents occur. These exercises strengthen interagency communication and help identify gaps in planning or resource allocation.
Watkins’s approach emphasizes preparedness as an evolving process rather than a static checklist. By continuously refining response plans, she ensures that the county remains adaptable to emerging risks, from extreme weather events to infrastructure challenges.
Regional and Statewide Leadership Roles
Watkins’s influence extends well beyond Newaygo County. She currently chairs the Newaygo County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), a body responsible for hazardous materials planning and community safety coordination. In this role, she works closely with industry representatives, emergency responders, and public officials to mitigate chemical and industrial risks.
She also serves as Secretary and Treasurer of the Newaygo County Fire Chiefs Association, supporting leadership coordination among fire service professionals. At the regional level, Watkins is the Chair of the Region 6 Homeland Security Planning Board, where she helps guide strategic investments in preparedness and security across multiple counties.
Additionally, she represents Newaygo County on the Region 6 Healthcare Coalition, reinforcing collaboration between emergency management and healthcare systems. These roles underscore her ability to bridge disciplines and jurisdictions, a critical skill in modern emergency management.
Contributions to State-Level Emergency Preparedness
At the state level, Ms. Abigail Watkins has contributed her expertise to significant advisory and coordinating bodies. From 2020 to 2021, she served on Michigan’s Dam Safety Task Force, an initiative focused on assessing infrastructure vulnerabilities following major dam failures in the state.
She currently serves on the Michigan Citizen-Community Emergency Response Coordinating Council, further reflecting her commitment to community engagement and volunteer preparedness. Through these roles, Watkins has helped shape policy discussions that affect emergency readiness statewide, particularly in rural and infrastructure-sensitive regions.
Her participation in these bodies demonstrates professional credibility and a willingness to contribute beyond her immediate jurisdiction.
Awards and Professional Recognition
Watkins’s leadership has been widely recognized within the emergency management community. In 2024, she was named Michigan Professional Emergency Manager of the Year by the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division, one of the state’s highest professional honors in the field.
Earlier in her career, she received the Wildfire Mitigation Award in 2018, a national recognition honoring exceptional efforts to reduce wildfire risk. This award highlights her commitment to hazard mitigation, an often overlooked but essential component of public safety.
She has also been named Michigan Emergency Management Association Coordinator of the Year on three occasions—in 2008, 2009, and 2015—for jurisdictions serving populations under 60,000. These repeated honors reflect sustained excellence rather than isolated achievement.
Leadership Style and Professional Impact
Colleagues and partners often describe Watkins’s leadership style as steady, collaborative, and methodical. Rather than seeking public attention, she focuses on building systems that function reliably under pressure. This approach aligns with the core principles of emergency management, where success is often measured by outcomes rather than visibility.
Her work has contributed to stronger interagency relationships, improved training standards, and a culture of preparedness within Newaygo County. By prioritizing planning and education, she has helped ensure that emergency responses are coordinated, efficient, and community-centered.
Legacy and Ongoing Influence
Ms. Abigail Watkins’s career offers a clear example of how sustained public service can shape community resilience over time. As emergency risks grow more complex due to climate variability, infrastructure challenges, and public health concerns, leaders like Watkins play an increasingly vital role in safeguarding communities.
Her influence continues through the systems she has strengthened, the professionals she has trained, and the partnerships she has cultivated. While emergencies may come and go, the frameworks she has helped establish will serve Newaygo County and the broader region for years to come.
Conclusion
In the field of emergency management, effective leadership is defined not by dramatic moments, but by preparation, coordination, and trust. Ms. Abigail Watkins exemplifies these qualities through her long-standing service, professional expertise, and commitment to public safety. From local disaster response to statewide planning initiatives, her career reflects a dedication to protecting communities through thoughtful leadership and strategic action.
As Newaygo County continues to face evolving challenges, Watkins’s work stands as a reminder that resilience is built through experience, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to the public good.
