Dr. Philip H. Pushkin, director of the Baltimore County Department of Aging for four years, has been removed from that post to become the county's new federally paid director of emergency management.
County Executive C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger III announced the change yesterday, which is subject to County Council approval.
If approved by the council, Dr. Pushkin, 57, would start his new job Feb. 1.
A dentist by training, he also is a general in the Maryland National Guard, which Mr. Ruppersberger said makes him uniquely qualified for the new post. The Randallstown resident is retiring after 27 years with the county government, mainly in the Health Department.
Dr. Pushkin said he is "thrilled" about his new job, which will make him responsible for planning and coordinating responses of various county agencies to emergencies such as the 1987 Amtrak train wreck in Chase, toxic chemical leaks, hurricanes, tornado damage and plane crashes.
"He is a top-notch professional with strong personal drive," Mr. Ruppersberger said in a statement.
In his new role, Dr. Pushkin will be a contractual employee, filling a job vacant since June 30. The office has been managed by Fire Department officers since then from quarters in the public safety building in the 700 block E. Joppa Road.
Dr. Pushkin said the combination of his county pension and new $50,000 federal salary will pay slightly more than his current $80,500 salary.
Although not upset at leaving his current job, he said, "I'll be sorry to leave the seniors who have been friends."
Arnold Eppel, deputy director of the Department of Aging, will be acting director until a permanent replacement is picked.
Dr. Pushkin is the second department head removed by Mr. Ruppersberger since he took office Dec. 5. Personnel Director Richard N. Holloway was the first. Mr. Ruppersberger announced Mr. Holloway's dismissal last week.