The Smoky Mountain Hiking Blog: Smokies Adds New "Emergency Manager" Position

Great Smoky Mountains National Park recently announced the hiring for a newly created "Emergency Manager" position. This new position will function to coordinate emergency medical response and search and rescue operations with responders inside the park in partnership with local agencies and organizations. Ranger Liz Hall will fill this new job. She will also lead preventative search and rescue efforts, such as providing safety information to hikers by staff and volunteers.

Ms. Hall comes to the Smokies from Yellowstone National Park, where she served in the Emergency Services office since 2017. Prior to her job in Emergency Services, Liz was a law enforcement ranger in the Lamar River District. Before working at Yellowstone National Park, Liz was a backcountry ranger at Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Skagway, Alaska.

“I am excited that the park was able to fill this essential position with someone with the skill and experience that Liz holds,” added Lisa Hendy.

Liz has a master’s degree in public administration and is a Nationally Registered Paramedic. She spends her free time volunteering with a local search and rescue team and working her search and rescue dog, Reu. She also enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and boating. Liz grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee and she is excited to come home and work in the park that introduced her to conservation and the National Park Service. She is moving to the Smokies with her husband, Travis Hall, who is also a ranger, and their young son.