Shelbyville man to lead Marshall EMS

James Whorley, 42, of Candlewood Estates, is one of three shift supervisors for MCEMS, headquartered at offices in the ambulance station on South Ellington Parkway in Lewisburg.

Whorley succeeds Jimmy Adams of Lewisburg who resigned this month for family reasons. Marshall County commissioners were advised of Whorley's appointment during their meeting Monday night.

"I'm very passionate about the ambulance service and hope it continues to be a shining example of the EMS," Whorley said, thanking the commissioners' EMS Committee for selecting him on Good Friday.

Whorley has been working for Marshall County's EMS for 12 years. He also serves as a paramedic and a medical examiner investigator. Previously, Whorley worked at a medical supply company in Fayetteville.

Whorley and two other shift supervisors were interviewed Friday by the EMS Committee during its open meeting. Whorley said he will apply for the full-time position.

"I'll do the best I can until a full-time director is appointed," he said. "There are a lot of people who are talking about applying."

Born in Lincoln County and raised in Petersburg, Whorley attended public schools in Fayetteville and was enrolled in business courses at Motlow State Community College when he took the course on being an emergency medical technician. That's what sparked his interest in a career with the EMS.

He's the son of Belle Gibson, widow of his father, Harold Whorley who died in 1984. Whorley's mother and his step-father, Doyle Gibson, live in Lewisburg.

Whorley makes his home with his wife, Lori, in a subdivision on the north side of Shelbyville where they're raising four daughters.