NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee Emergency Management Agency director Jim Bassham is retiring in April.

Gov. Bill Haslam announced Thursday that Department of Safety and Homeland Security Assistant Commissioner David Purkey would serve as the interim director through June 30.

The TEMA director is responsible for ensuring that state and local governments are prepared to deal with disasters and emergencies.

Bassham has led TEMA since 2003. Before that he served as the assistant adjutant general-air for the Tennessee National Guard from 1995 until 2002.

A permanent director will be named later.