Emergency Management Staff

Jason Burnett started with Cabarrus County in August 2007 as an Assistant Fire Marshal. In July 2016, he transitioned to the role of Emergency Management Planner and was promoted to Emergency Management Director in March 2023.

Jason oversees both the Emergency Management and Fire Services divisions of Cabarrus County.  This also includes the Fire Marshal's Office and Squad 410 which provides supplemental staffing to assist our local volunteer and combination (paid) fire departments.

In his current role, Jason continually addresses emergency management and fire services needs and fosters collaborative working relationships which are critical in the event of an incident affecting Cabarrus County and its citizens.

Jason is an active member and currently chairs the Constitution and By-Laws Committee of the NC Emergency Management Association. Jason is also an active member of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), North Carolina Association of Fire Chief’s and North Carolina State Firefighter’s Association. When not working for Cabarrus County, Jason serves as the Fire Chief and Secretary to the Board of Directors of South Salisbury Fire Department in Rowan County which is a combination department located in Rowan County.

Dawn Gustafson is the Emergency Management Planner II for Cabarrus County. She began with the department in March of 2017. Dawn began as an administrative assistant for both Emergency Management and Fire Services. In November 2021, her position was reclassified to Emergency Management Specialist. In May of 2023, Dawn was promoted to the Emergency Planner role which was shortly after changed to Emergency Planner II. Dawn's duties include:

• development of the County's emergency-based plans
• Shelter Task Force
• County Radiological Officer
• Tier II management
• oversight of Emergency Management, Fire Services and grant finances

Dawn serves as the secretary for the Local Emergency Planning Committee. She is a credentialed Type 3 All Hazards Incident Management Team Finance Unit Leader. She is a certified Land Search field team member. Dawn has also successfully completed FEMA's National Emergency Management Basic Academy.

In her spare time, Dawn enjoys spending time with her husband and children. She's also an avid hiker, mountain biker and gardener.