Harris and Komansky Join “In Touch with Durham County” Show for June Episode
Durham, N.C. – The June 2026 episode of the “In Touch with Durham County” show from the Durham County Public Information Office has premiered, focusing on two topics and available resources that directly impact the community: intervention services and emergency medical services. In our latest episode, host Deborah Craig-Ray, Durham County Chief Communications Officer, welcomes first-time guest Krystal Harris, Director of Community Intervention and Support Services for Durham County, and introduces Seth Komansky, Durham County’s new Chief EMS Paramedic.
Watch it on our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/OL-eJjSJLg4
The goal of each episode is to have important conversations with our Durham County Government staff, elected officials, and community partners to keep residents informed about the latest happenings, programs, and services. The show is available to watch on the DCo YouTube channel (subscribe here), as well as on the Durham County Government website and the Durham Television Network.
In the conversation with Harris, she shares how she began working with Durham County in 2005 in the Department of Social Services and later worked in social service leadership capacities for the State of North Carolina and Vance County before returning to Durham in her current role as the inaugural director of the Community Intervention & Support Services (CISS) department. The department encompasses initiatives such as supporting numerous violence-reduction efforts, offering community engagement programming with local nonprofits, community organizations, and statewide partners, as well as projects with Durham Public Schools and other youth prevention efforts. CISS also houses Project Build, a joint city-county program. Harris’ role has expanded to include appointments to Governor Josh Stein’s Gang Prevention and Intervention Task Force and the North Carolina Office of Violence Prevention Advisory Board. The department’s work also includes current work on Durham’s Violence Reduction Plan.
First-time guest Komansky recently joined Durham County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) as its Chief Paramedic. He has spent 25 years in various EMS roles and has worked in the region since 2008. Komansky describes EMS and the 180 employees, who primarily serve as paramedics, EMTs, and Advanced EMTs, as a critical unit that ‘guards life’. He discussed the increased demand for services, new plans, and opportunities to grow EMS. The discussion also included priorities, including supporting current EMS staff, expanding the department’s hiring process and evaluating resources and response plans with other Emergency Services units, such as the Fire Department and 911 Center.
We hope you explore this month’s show!
About “In Touch with Durham County”
The “In Touch with Durham County” show is a regular program that provides governmental programming and access to your local government and provides timely, ongoing coverage of Durham County Government. The show airs on the Durham Television Network (DTN). DTN is available on Spectrum (channel 8 and 1302), and AT&T U-verse channel 99. Residents may also download the BoxCast app, available for Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV and search for “City of Durham” to find content available on demand.
To view past editions of the “In Touch with Durham County” show, visit the DCo YouTube Channel here.
For more information on the Durham County Public Information Office, visit the PIO website, call 919-560-0000 or email publicinformationoffice@dconc.gov.
###