When you talk about the backbone of emergency response in North Carolina’s largest county, one name keeps popping up in the conversation. Honestly, if you live around Lumberton or Pembroke, you’ve probably heard of Justin Hunt. He isn't some distant politician or a face on a billboard. He's the guy who has spent over a decade climbing the ranks of the local infrastructure, eventually landing the role of Assistant Emergency Management Director for Robeson County.
Public safety in a place like Robeson isn't a desk job. It’s hard. It’s messy. The county is beautiful, sure, but it’s also prone to some of the most punishing hurricanes and floods in the Southeast. People here don't just want a leader; they want someone who has actually been in the mud.
From Water Lines to the EOC
Justin’s story is a bit of a classic local grind. He didn't start at the top. Far from it. He began his career working for the Robeson County Water Department. While most people were clocking out at 3:00 PM and heading home to relax, Hunt was doing something else. He was heading straight to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
He spent his afternoons—from 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM, every single day—studying. He wasn't just hanging out; he was gunning for his inspector certification. This wasn't some solo mission, either.
The Stephanie Connection
You can’t talk about Justin Hunt Robeson County history without mentioning Stephanie Chavis. She’s a bit of a legend in her own right, recently retiring as the county's Emergency Management Director. Hunt often credits her for basically taking a chance on a volunteer firefighter who worked for the water department.
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She let him borrow her textbooks on the weekends. That kind of mentorship is rare. It turned a twelve-year partnership into the foundation of the county’s current emergency response team. When Chavis retired in June 2024, Hunt was right there, acknowledging that he "wouldn’t be where I am today" without that initial push. It's a reminder that even in high-stakes government roles, it usually comes down to one person helping another.
Why the "Justin Hunt" Search is So Confusing
If you’ve tried to Google the name recently, you probably got hit with a wall of different results. It’s a common name, and in Robeson County, that can lead to some serious mix-ups. There are three distinct stories people are usually looking for when they type in those keywords.
- The Public Official: This is the Justin Hunt we’re talking about—the Assistant Emergency Management Director.
- The 2020 Tragedy: Many people are actually looking for information on Justin "Cody" Hunt. He was a 30-year-old man from Maxton who tragically passed away in April 2020. His death led to significant legal proceedings in the county, involving kidnapping and conspiracy charges against individuals who were seeking "justice" for his murder.
- The Recovery Story: Occasionally, people mix him up with Shanendoa Hunt, a man whose journey through the Robeson County jail diversion program (SAFE) has become a major success story for local drug court advocates.
It’s easy to see how a search for Justin Hunt Robeson County turns into a rabbit hole. One is a story of public service, one is a story of tragedy, and one is a story of redemption.
Managing Disaster in a High-Risk Zone
What does Hunt actually do? Basically, he’s one of the primary architects for how the county handles the next big one. Whether it’s a Category 4 hurricane or a massive chemical spill on I-95, the Assistant Director is the one coordinating between the Fire Marshal’s office, the Sheriff, and state-level NC DPS officials.
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Robeson County is massive—over 900 square miles. Coordinating fire departments, most of which are volunteer-based, is like herding cats in a thunderstorm. Hunt’s background as a volunteer firefighter gives him a level of street cred that a "suit" from Raleigh just wouldn't have. He knows what it's like when the radio goes quiet or when the floodwaters cut off a community like Fair Bluff.
Shifting Focus in 2025 and 2026
Moving into 2026, the focus for Hunt and the Emergency Management team has shifted. It’s no longer just about reacting to storms. It’s about tech. We are seeing a massive push toward better GIS mapping and real-time response data.
The county has been working on:
- Improving the "reverse 911" systems for rural residents.
- Integrating drone technology for rapid damage assessment after tornadoes.
- Strengthening the partnership between the EOC and local schools for emergency sheltering.
The Reality of Public Service in Robeson
It’s not all awards and retirement parties. Dealing with the public in Robeson County requires a thick skin. People here are resilient, but they are also weary of empty promises. Hunt has had to be the face of the county during some of its tensest moments.
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When you’re in charge of emergency management, you’re often the bearer of bad news. You’re the one telling people their road is still impassable or that the shelter is at capacity. It’s a grueling job that doesn’t leave much room for a personal life, yet Hunt has stayed the course for over a decade.
What You Can Do Next
If you’re looking to get involved or just stay safe in the area, there are actual, practical things you should do based on the work Hunt’s office does.
First, sign up for the Robeson County emergency alert system. Don't wait for the weather to turn bad. Most people think they'll just see it on Facebook, but when the towers go down, those automated alerts are a literal lifesaver.
Second, if you're a local, look into the volunteer fire service. The county is always strapped for help, and as Justin Hunt’s own career shows, starting as a volunteer can lead to a massive career in public safety. You don’t need a degree in disaster management to start; you just need to show up and be willing to learn.
Finally, keep an eye on the county’s Board of Commissioners meetings. That’s where the budget for these emergency services gets decided. If you want better response times or newer equipment for the guys on the ground, that’s where the real work happens. Public safety isn't just a department; it's a community investment.