Beaufort County Coroner Recognized for Pioneering Disaster Preparedness
This month, Beaufort County residents have a particular reason to celebrate the dedication and collaboration of their public servants. Outgoing Coroner David Ott has received a prestigious statewide honor alongside Charleston County Coroner Bobbi Jo O’Neal. Their joint effort to **standardize practices across coroner’s offices throughout South Carolina** has been recognized with the Barrett Lawrimore Memorial Regional Cooperation Award. Presented by the South Carolina Association of Counties, this award highlights inter-municipal projects that exemplify good governance and efficiently use taxpayer dollars to improve the quality of life for local residents.
A Forward-Thinking Project
With nearly half a century of public service under his belt and a noteworthy 15-year tenure in the Beaufort County Coroner’s Office, Ott, now nearing retirement, has made significant strides in disaster preparedness. Partnering with O’Neal, who oversees Charleston County, the two recognized the importance of being **proactive in the face of natural disasters** and potential mass fatality events. Their project emphasizes the sharing of crucial resources among counties, ensuring that if a tragedy strikes one area, neighboring counties can step in to assist.
“It’s not if it happens — it’s when it happens,” Ott noted, stressing the necessity of being equipped to manage crises like hurricanes, tornadoes, or any event that might overwhelm local resources. Both coroners are on the same page, promoting a collaborative approach, which is essential in public service.
Top-of-the-Line Technology
As part of their initiative, Ott and O’Neal secured over $1 million in grant funding to acquire **new machinery** for their offices, paving the way for advancements never before seen in South Carolina. In Beaufort County, a newly installed $500,000 digital scanner has revolutionized the coroner’s manual X-ray procedure by completing scans in mere seconds. Meanwhile, a compact, microwave-sized machine in the Port Royal office can provide toxicology analysis results in just 30 minutes, rather than the weeks that outsourcing would typically require.
Such developments are game-changers, especially during critical times when many lives are affected. “The sharing of these resources will be vital during a mass casualty event,” explained Ott, making a clear case for inter-county collaboration. By creating pathways for resource sharing and data standardization, both coroners aim to deliver higher-quality investigations regardless of a community’s size or wealth.
A Legacy of Service
As Ott prepares to retire in January, he is passing the baton to Chief Deputy Coroner Debbie Youmans, who is unopposed in the upcoming general election. Youmans plans to carry forward the momentum of Ott’s initiatives, saying, “We’re as good as what we learn and what we’re taught.” She is eager to further the cooperative efforts that Ott and O’Neal have started.
Standardizing Data for Better Public Health
In their quest for regional cooperation, both coroners are also advocating for other counties to adopt the same data management software. This tool would make it simple to share vital information, particularly overdose statistics, which is essential in combating the state’s ongoing opioid crisis. O’Neal emphasized, “The data from our offices impacts public health policy, criminal justice policy, and emergency planning.”
Unveiling the importance of accurate and timely data, she highlighted how it influences policies that ultimately affect citizens’ lives and finances.
A Well-Deserved Recognition
After submitting their application for the Barrett Lawrimore Award in August and presenting their project in September, both Ott and O’Neal proudly accepted their trophies at a luncheon on October 17. Interestingly, they realized their existing collaborative efforts were in line with the award’s criteria only after they learned about it.
For Beaufort County, this accolade marks the third consecutive year of receiving such recognition, shining a light on the relentless commitment of its public servants. As Ott and O’Neal continue their journeys in public service, their pioneering work will surely shape the future of how coroner’s offices operate across South Carolina.
The community of Beaufort County eagerly anticipates continued progress in enhancing public health and safety through collaboration and innovation.
