County Executive Mike Callagy has appointed Dr. Shruti Dhapodkar as the new director of the Department of Emergency Management. Dhapodkar will play a key role in addressing challenges from earthquakes, wildfires, tsunamis, pandemics, climate change and other threats and crisis, both natural and human-caused. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Board of Supervisors. A vote is expected at its Sept. 12 meeting. An emergency manager in San Mateo County Health since 2017, Dhapodkar played a key role during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency response.