The Lancaster County commissioners on Wednesday approved Brian Pasquale’s appointment as the county’s first Public Safety Director.
For the past two and a half years, Pasquale has been the director of the county’s Emergency Management Agency, a role that included supervising the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center. His new role adds oversight of the county’s 911 County-Wide Communications Center.
The county commissioners agreed in June to bring LEMA, the training center and the 911 center under the umbrella of a newly created Department of Public Safety. That reorganization took effect Monday, Pasquale said, as does his appointment as the department’s director.
The reorganization is expected to improve efficiency and enhance internal communications and coordination. Pasquale said his first step will be to get to know the department’s personnel and hear their vision for how best to “synergize services.”
LEMA’s staff consists of 19 funded positions this year, according to the county budget; the county 911 center has 95 funded positions.
Pasquale is a U.S. Army Reserve member and has a doctorate in public safety. He came to Lancaster County from Montgomery County, where he served most recently as chief science officer.
The county advertised the director position after the reorganization was approved. There were a number of good applicants, Commissioner Ray D’Agostino said, but he and his colleagues expressed confidence that Pasquale is the right choice.
“Your background has well prepared you for this,” Commissioner Josh Parsons said.
