BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Two of six candidates for the Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency director’s post removed their names from consideration, leaving four candidates for interviews beginning Thursday.

Wayne Fairley sent an email to the county’s personnel office Monday.

“It is with deepest regrets that I request that my name be removed from consideration for the position of EMA Director for Baldwin County,” Fairley wrote in the email. “I apologize for any inconvenience that this late action may cause the county or yourself.”

Fairley could not immediately be reached for further comment.

The Denton, Texas, resident is retiring from FEMA this month. His resume lists 30 years of military and civilian service and extensive teaching experience in emergency management.

Paul W. Fay, of Marietta, Ga., who served the Federal Emergency Management as director of the response and recovery division in Atlanta from October 2000 until his retirement in May also declined an interview.

Personnel director Andrea Rider said Fay withdrew his application last week when she called for interview scheduling.

“He said he had prior commitments and had to fulfill them,” she said. “He was committed to another project.”

Baldwin County Commissioners chose six candidates last week for the EMA director’s post.

Seventy-one candidates from across the nation applied for the position, vacated by Melvin Stringfellow’s April resignation.

Rider said the interviews will be public and begin Thursday at 1 p.m. with one candidate at the Baldwin County Emergency Operations Center, 23100 McAuliffe Drive, in Robertsdale.

Interviews will continue Friday at 8:30 a.m. for the remaining three candidates.

The Commission authorized up to $750 for travel expenses for the contract employee position.