York County emergency management director to retire | County Report
York County EMA Director Arthur “Art” Cleaves to Retire After 11 Years of Service
York County, Maine – In a meeting of county commissioners on Oct. 21, 2026, Arthur “Art” Cleaves announced that he will step down as director of the York County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) effective Jan. 1, 2027. Cleaves, who took the helm in January 2015, said it would be “bittersweet” to leave after an 11‑year tenure that saw the agency navigate a series of high‑profile emergencies and build critical infrastructure for the community.
“We’ve all been lucky to have him here,” said Commissioner Richard Clark, who smiled as he added, “I think everybody should retire at some point — but not you.” Clark also thanked Cleaves for “what you’ve done for the county.”
A Record of Response and Innovation
Under Cleaves’s leadership, the York County EMA has achieved several notable milestones. In 2021, the agency mobilized to open a COVID‑19 vaccination site that administered more than 100,000 doses. The early months of 2024 brought a series of punishing coastal storms that stripped dunes and caused widespread erosion, yet the EMA, working with state and federal partners, rolled out a dredge program that helped stabilize the shoreline and mitigate damage.
The agency’s first drone acquisition came in 2015, a move that Cleaves says has become “vital to first responders” in search‑and‑rescue and hazardous materials incidents when it isn’t safe to place people in the area. The technology has since become a standard part of the county’s emergency response toolkit.
Commissioner Donna Ring reflected on Cleaves’s impact, saying, “I’ve been here a long time, and I know what you’ve done for EMA and for the county, and it’s second to none. I appreciate everything you’ve done.” Commissioner Justin Chenette added, “You’ve been a really steady hand in lifting up so many vulnerable communities that have really needed help in some dark moments.” Vice Chair Robert Andrews called him “the heart and soul” of the agency, noting the county’s frequent reliance on his expertise, jokingly citing the “1‑800‑CALL‑ART” hotline that many residents turn to in crisis.
County Manager Greg Zinser, who has learned a great deal about the importance of relationships from Cleaves, said, “People often joke about ‘Who do we call?’ and it’s always ‘1‑800‑CALL‑ART.’ It’s those relationships that you rely on when you are trying to get something done.”
A Distinguished Career Beyond York County
Cleaves’s service extends far beyond York County. He served as the administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s New England region from 2005, overseeing 34 major disaster declarations, including the Patriots’ Day Storm of 2007 and the 2008 ice storm. He spent 30 years with the Maine Army National Guard, retiring as a colonel, and directed both the Maine Emergency Management Agency and the state’s Homeland Security office. In international and interstate contexts, he worked in Haiti after an earthquake, served as a FEMA liaison, and coordinated recovery operations for the New York Office of Emergency Management following Hurricane Sandy.
“When it comes to emergencies, it’s all about people,” Cleaves said. “With all of my work in life I have been driven by tasks and missions at hand to make people more prepared for emergencies, and help after a disaster. This is bittersweet. I am engaged every day … the goals here are compelling, and I want always to contribute.”
Looking Ahead
Deputy Director Megan Arsenault will serve as interim director of the York County EMA following Cleaves’s retirement, pending the appointment of a permanent successor. The agency will continue its work to safeguard residents, businesses, and the environment against natural and man‑made hazards.
As Cleaves turns the page on a long and distinguished career, the county’s emergency management community and its residents alike recognize the steady hand he has provided through storms, crises, and everyday challenges. His legacy, according to those who served beside him, is one of unwavering commitment and a deep sense of stewardship for the people of York County.
