Lehighton has made a recommendation for a new vacant emergency management coordinator position.

On a 6-0 vote, borough council recommended the appointment of Dylan Saunders as emergency management coordinator to Gov. Josh Shapiro.

Councilwoman Dr. Jordyn Miller questioned if there would be a conflict of interest with appointing Saunders to the post, as he is the son of borough Mayor Ryan Saunders.

But, Ryan Saunders said it is not a conflict of interest because the emergency management coordinator post is a voluntarily appointed position, not a paid position.

The position does not report directly to the mayor.

Ryan Saunders said that Dylan, who resides just outside the borough and grew up in the borough, is a former U.S. Marine sergeant. He was in charge of his unit as the unit safety representative.

In addition, Ryan said Dylan was the hazardous assessment coordinator; was part of conducting search and rescue missions, and also drafting evacuation plans for his staff.

Part of Dylan’s responsibilities, Ryan said, was the planning of and conducting emergency response drills (missing persons, search and rescue, medical injuries, fire prevention, active shooter, hazardous waste spill drills and evacuation of his staff.

“He is educated in how to implement emergency management protocols,” Ryan said. “Our goal for him is to go through everything that the former Emergency Management Coordinator did and make sure that Lehighton has all the proper documentation and the proper protocols in place in the event that there is an emergency.

“Our goal for Lehighton Borough is to be prepared in the event of an emergency, not when an emergency happens. We hope and pray that we don’t have an emergency, but the goal for Lehighton Borough is to be proactive in efforts to mitigate emergencies rather than be reactive and find out we’re not prepared.”

The mayor praised former borough emergency management coordinator Joe Flickinger.

“Over the years that Joe Flickinger has been our EMC, he has done nothing short of a stellar, thorough and fantastic job of educating himself and creating a protocol for Lehighton Borough in the event of an emergency,” he said.

Before the vote, borough Mayor Dane DeWire announced that the borough had received three letters of interest.

Also on Monday, council agreed to re-advertise for its open deputy emergency management coordinator position.

Councilman John Kreitz was absent.

Last month, borough council on a 5-0 vote accepted the resignation of deputy emergency management coordinator Tanner Eckman, effective immediately.

Eckman’s resignation came after borough council in May accepted the resignation of Flickinger, who vacated his post as emergency management coordinator after citing concerns for his safety.

Immediately after accepting Flickinger’s resignation, borough council agreed to advertise for letters of interest for a new borough emergency management coordinator.

In his letter submitted to borough council in May, Flickinger said he served 10-plus years.

“This was not an easy decision, however, due to acts of intimidation by some borough council members as well as multiple hostile and violent actions directed at me by borough administrative management, has created concerns for my safety,” he wrote. “Under these conditions, I am unable to provide the level of safety and preparedness that our residents deserve.”

After executive session, DeWire, along with several members of borough council who were nearby, declined comment on Flickinger’s accusations.

Over the past several months, Flickinger has said he believes borough council has been in violation of the Sunshine Act.