Manhattan to Begin Paying Emergency Management Volunteers in ‘Long Overdue’ Move

Members of Manhattan’s Emergency Management Agency (EMA), who have served for years as unpaid volunteers, will now receive financial compensation for their service. The Village Board on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution to pay EMA employees $17 per hour for their work.

Trustees described the move as a necessary and “long overdue” recognition of the vital role EMA members play in community safety.

“We’re calling these people to come out in all kinds of weather. If there’s a disaster, tornado, whatever the case may be, they’re out there,” said Trustee Robert Dilling.

Mayor Mike Adrieansen agreed, noting the dedication of the volunteers. “Instead of just saying you’re doing a great job, I think it’s important to compensate them somewhat,” he said. The village has allocated $36,623 in its 2025-2026 budget for the compensation.

The decision was part of a broader focus on public safety during the meeting. The board also approved a $4,165 agreement with Ruttenberg Public Safety Consulting PLLC to provide annual mental health wellness checks for its police officers. The village has used the service for several years, citing positive feedback from officers and recommendations from state-level public safety acts.

Police Chief Ryan Gulli highlighted a recent success demonstrating the value of investment in public safety technology. He recounted an incident where Manhattan’s new drone was used to assist the Frankfort Police Department in locating a person who had wandered away from a car accident.

Gulli said Officer Baggin deployed the drone and, using its infrared camera, located the disoriented individual in a brush area within minutes. “It’s been beneficial a couple times,” Gulli said. “We got the bragging rights in the drone program.”

In a related EMA matter, the board declared three outdated vehicles as surplus property to be sold or donated. The vehicles include a 1988 Chevrolet command cab and two 2001 Ford Crown Victorias, which officials said were at the end of their useful life due to age and maintenance costs following a restructuring of the EMA.