Hope Downs began serving New Hanover County as the 911 Communications Director in July 2019. She has over 17 years of experience and has served in a variety of public safety communications roles across the country. Prior to coming to New Hanover County, she was the director of 911 communications centers in Idaho and Oregon. In conjunction with her public safety communications experience, she served 13 years in disaster services and has worked through hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, wildfires, and other types of emergencies.

Downs holds a Bachelors of Science in Human Services and Communication with the Deaf and Hearing Impaired from Troy University, and also received her APCO International Public Safety Telecommunication Certificate from Jacksonville State University. In 2017, Lindsey was one of 22 students selected from across the U.S. and Canada to participate in APCO International’s first Certified Public-Safety Executive (CPE) course. She has served on several public safety communications committees at state and local levels.

Downs will work closely with the director of Emergency Management to ensure these two critical departments operate effectively in an emergency and day-to-day for public safety. She has a strategic vision for the county’s 911 center and looks forward to facilitating the professional development of her staff. She enjoys hiking, gardening, playing with her children, and watching football.