State Police Captain Casey Named Orange County’s Commissioner of Emergency Services

From the Office of Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus:

Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus announced on Monday, June 20 that decorated State Police Captain Brendan Casey has been named the County’s Commissioner of Emergency Services.

Casey will succeed Walter Koury, who is retiring later this month. Koury has served as Orange County’s Commissioner of Emergency Services for 12 years and has dedicated 47 years of his life to public service. Casey’s first day as Commissioner of Emergency Services will be July 15.

“Captain Brendan Casey is someone who not only earns the respect of his peers and the public, but commands it,” Neuhaus said. “Brendan is a consummate professional and cares deeply about the well-being and safety of the residents that he serves. We are very fortunate to have someone with his experience and dedication to lead our Emergency Services Department. I know Brendan will do a wonderful job and we are all looking forward to working with him.”

Casey’s responsibilities will include the administration, management and supervision of the operation of the Emergency Services department, which encompasses the Divisions of Fire, Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Communications and Police Liaison Services. The Commissioner also directs the development and implementation of policies, procedures and programs to maximize the County’s response to incidents through emergency services.

“Brendan Casey has impressive qualifications and brings a wealth of experience to this important position,” said Steve Brescia, Chairman of the Orange County Legislature. “He is very passionate, detail-orientated and possesses a real vision for the County’s Department of Emergency Services. I’m very confident that he will do a great job for us.”

Added Kevin Hines, the chairman of the Legislature’s Public Safety and Emergency Services Committee: “I know Brendan Casey through our work on the Police Advisory Board. I have the utmost confidence in his professionalism, leadership and knowledge. Having served as Captain of the New York State Police in Orange County, he knows the area, the issues and the personnel tasked with protecting the public. This will allow for a smooth transition as he takes over as our new Emergency Services Commissioner.”

Casey began his decorated career with the State Police in 1986 as a uniformed Trooper. He was promoted to uniformed Sergeant in 1994 and became a Lieutenant with the State Police in 2001. As a Lieutenant, Casey was tasked with a variety of important assignments.

He served as a liaison to the Governor’s Office of Appointments and State Police in Albany to coordinate background investigations into gubernatorial appointees. Casey was also assigned to the largest narcotics task force in the country, the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, which is based in Manhattan and responsible for regional and international narcotics investigations. As Division Chief, Casey supervised personnel from the State Police, NYPD, DEA, FBI and U.S. Marshall’s Office.

He was also part of the State Police’s team that responded to 9/11 terrorist attacks and spent four weeks working at Ground Zero.

Casey returned to the Hudson Valley in 2006, serving as the Office in Charge of the State Police’s Community Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET) in the Hudson Valley. He supervised a staff of 35 who conducted investigations into narcotics trafficking and illegal gun sales. Casey was promoted to State Police Captain in 2008 and worked in internal affairs until 2012. For the last four years, Casey has been responsible for day-to-day operations for Zone 2 of Troop F, which consists of Orange and Rockland Counties. He supervises 18 Sergeants and 120 Troopers at 11 different facilities.

Casey, a 1982 Washingtonville High School graduate who resides in Campbell Hall, received his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Marist College in Poughkeepsie in 1989. He earned his Masters in Public Administration from Marist in 1998.

“I’m extremely honored and humbled to be able to continue to serve the residents of Orange County in this position,” Casey said. “It is exciting to join County Executive Neuhaus’ talented team and I appreciate him giving me an opportunity to serve in this important role. Walt Koury did a wonderful job developing this department and I look forward to building on that. I have a great team to work with and can’t wait to get started.”

The Commissioner of Emergency Services position is subject to confirmation by the Orange County Legislature. County Executive Neuhaus will present Casey for confirmation in July.

For more information, contact Justin Rodriguez, Assistant to the County Executive for Communications and Media Relations at 845.291.3255 or jrodriguez@orangecountygov.com.