Richard Serino Sworn In As FEMA Deputy Administrator

On October 21, 2009, The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate swore in Richard Serino as FEMA Deputy Administrator at a ceremony at Boston’s Faneuil Hall.  Prior to joining FEMA, Serino served as Chief of Emergency Medical Services and Assistant Director for the Boston Public Health Commission. In that role, he helped bolster the city’s response plans for chemical, biological, and radiological attacks and other emergency incidents.  He brings 35 years of state and local emergency management and emergency medical services experience to the position.

“Rich brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this position, and he will be an extremely valuable addition to the leadership teams at DHS and FEMA,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate.  “Boston’s loss is truly the country’s gain, as I look forward to working with him to improve our nation’s emergency management team.” 

“I am honored to be joining the new team at the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and I look forward to working with Secretary Napolitano and Administrator Fugate as they continue to strengthen our nation’s emergency response team,” said FEMA Deputy Administrator Rich Serino. “We can always do more to prepare, and I’m looking forward to working with this impressive team to enhance citizen preparedness and strengthen relationships among federal, state, and local emergency planners and responders.”

Beyond Administrator Fugate, the new team that the Deputy Administrator will be joining includes Tim Manning, the Deputy Administrator for National Preparedness, Kelvin Cochran, the Administrator for the U.S. Fire Administration, and Elizabeth Zimmerman, the Assistant Administrator for Disaster Assistance.

For Deputy Administrator Serino’s full bio please visit: www.fema.gov/about/bios/rserino.shtm

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