Greenwich Hires New Emergency Management Director

GREENWICH, CT — On Wednesday morning at the Public Safety Complex inside Classroom B, which on occasion transitions to Greenwich's Emergency Operations Center, the town welcomed new Emergency Management Director Joseph Laucella.

Laucella, a lifelong Shelton resident, was chosen from a pool of 43 candidates in a nationwide search that began last fall. Laucella fills the vacancy left by former Emergency Management Director Dan Warzoha, who suddenly passed away last August.

Greenwich Police Chief James Heavey filled in on an interim basis, and First Selectman Fred Camillo thanked him for stepping up during a news conference Wednesday. He also remembered Warzoha's service to the town, and looked forward to what Laucella brings to the table.

"Joe brings all of the skill sets that we were looking for," said Camillo, noting that he hopes to see the job expand and grow.

"Joe brought not only enthusiasm, but he brought some really good ideas of how he really wanted to see this position expanded with community outreach, and not just reacting to an impending storm or emergency, but being proactive," Camillo added. "He brought a lot of great ideas that we're looking forward to seeing implemented going forward."

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Laucella brings over two decades of emergency medical, firefighting and public safety experience to Greenwich.

He served as the director of operations at Echo Hose Ambulance in Shelton for more than 13 years, and as the emergency medical services director for the town of Trumbull for five years.

For the past 20 years, Laucella also served as the public safety officer for Fairfield University.

Laucella said he was "honored, blessed and very grateful" to join the Greenwich community.

"I've been working in emergency services since the time I was 16 years old. It's all I kind of know how to do, and it's what I love to do. It's about helping people through giving back, and it's about being there to support our community whenever it is needed," he said. "I'm looking forward to working with our amazing first responders, our public health department, our DPW and all the responders during a crisis and providing support to them and giving them all the resources I can each and every day."

Laucella was hired as a contractor, and is not considered a town employee. He'll be working under the umbrella of Greenwich Emergency Medical Services (GEMS). He said the ability to work with all first responder disciplines in the town attracted him to the position.

In a news release, GEMS Executive Director Tracy Schietinger said the emergency management director is vital to the town in planning, preparing and coordinating response in a disaster.

"Joe's expertise in emergency management at the regional, state and federal levels, coupled with his experience in public safety, fire and EMS makes him the right choice for Greenwich. Greenwich EMS is honored to have his partnership with the town."

Laucella holds numerous state and federal certifications and licenses. He earned a bachelor's degree in justice and law administration from Western Connecticut State University, and is a graduate of the National Emergency Management Basic Academy.