Flathead County Animal Shelter head Austin Hicks will take over as director of the county's Emergency Communications Center — starting Aug. 18 — after the position opened up in June.  

County officials declined to elaborate on the circumstances of former Director Elizabeth Brooks’ departure. Hicks told the Daily Inter Lake he has not been in contact with the previous director. 

His priority as director is to boost dispatcher recruitment, Hicks said. Flathead County, much like the rest of the country, has struggled to recruit and retain dispatchers since 2021.  

County records show that the center has fluctuated between nine and 11 vacant dispatcher positions since March. Dispatch manager Kristin Kvapil said in a previous interview there are 25 full-time and part-time positions, with eight vacant as of July 27. 

Hicks said he wants to start by reviewing testing and hiring processes for dispatchers to check for unnecessary roadblocks. 

“From the outside looking in, I can have a whole bunch of ideas,” Hicks said. “Whether they work or not, I don’t know until I get in there and see what’s going on.” 

Before he took on the job as animal shelter manager in 2023, Hicks worked as a police officer for 16 years in Missouri and Montana. He holds a degree in criminal justice administration.  

“I really wanted to lead a criminal justice entity,” Hicks said. “When the position came up, I thought it was the perfect position for me.” 

It’s helpful to take a break from the law enforcement world before stepping in as director of the emergency center, he added. He views his new role as serving as liaison for different groups, including fire personnel, paramedics and law enforcement.  

“Stepping out, I was able to remember that not everyone in the world thinks like a police officer,” Hicks said. “It’s helped me connect with people from all different backgrounds and thinking processes.” 

Hicks's two-year contract was approved by county commissioners during their July 31 meeting. Hicks is training Health Department employee Jenelle Gau to take over as manager of the county animal shelter. 

“I’m very pleased that Austin Hicks has been chosen to fill the position of director of Flathead Emergency Communications Center,” said Commissioner Brad Abell in an email. “He has proven himself as a leader in his role as director of Flathead County Animal Shelter.” 

Commissioner Randy Brodehl also extended his gratitude to Hicks for filling the position. 

“There’s some great challenges in this, but some of the greatest rewards also come with that position,” Brodehl said in an email. 

Reporter Hannah Shields can be reached at 758-4439 or [email protected].