The Board of Commissioners for St. Mary's County is pleased to announce that Mr. Patrick J. Walsh has been appointed as Director of Public Safety, effective August 16, 2004.
Mr. Walsh brings to the position more than thirty-five years of expertise in emergency response management and training. In addition, Mr. Walsh is committed to providing innovative protection programs that reflect the values, diversity, and priorities of the communities they serve. "We are excited about Mr. Walsh joining our team as Director of Public Safety. With his experience in the different areas of public safety, Mr. Walsh will serve as a valuable asset to the organization and management of services in that department. We look forward to his contribution as public safety continues to play an increased role in our community," said Thomas F. McKay, President, St. Mary's County Board of Commissioners.
Since 1981, Mr. Walsh has served as President of Haz Mat Safety. In this position, he assisted in the development, formation, and training of Haz Mat response teams throughout the United States. Mr. Walsh has worked with the National Fire Academy/Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, Maryland, the South Carolina State Fire Academy, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Defense to train emergency managers and responders in Hazardous Materials Management, SARA Title III, OSHA and EPA compliance, risk management, and chemical, biological, and radiological terrorism response. In addition, Mr. Walsh was appointed by the Governor of South Carolina to the State Emergency Response Commission and the Board of Directors for the Murrells Inlet/Garden City Fire/Rescue District.
His previous employment includes a variety of management positions with the Washington D.C. Fire & Emergency Medical Services Department, from 1968 to 1994, including assignments as EMT, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain and Battalion Chief. Mr. Walsh also worked as Program Manager for Fire Science and Emergency Medical Services Curriculum at the Community College of Baltimore, from 1974 to 1977.
A native of Maryland, Mr. Walsh received his Bachelor of Arts at St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland and his Bachelor of Theology at St. Mary's University in Baltimore, Maryland. He received his Masters of Arts in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix.