Emergency Response Commissioner Appointment Made

POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino is pleased to announce her selection of William H. Beale to serve as the Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Response (DER). Mr. Beale has served as the Department’s Acting Commissioner since January, his latest role since joining the Department as County Fire Investigator in 2003.

Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino said, “Bill truly understands the vital role emergency response plays in keeping our residents safe. With more than two decades of experience in this field, he has shown exceptional leadership and a strong commitment to public safety. Under his guidance and leadership, Dutchess County will continue to raise the bar for preparedness, response, and recovery.”

Since serving as the Acting Commissioner for DER, Mr. Beale has overseen several groundbreaking initiatives, including:
• Dutchess County’s accreditation through New York State’s Local Emergency Management Accreditation Program in February, making Dutchess the first county between New York City and Albany to achieve this milestone;
• Leading efforts to sustain the County’s emergency medical services (EMS) capacity through its supplemental ambulance coverage program and regional collaboration, which responded to over 700 medical calls in early 2025; and
• Expanding the County’s successful “EMS Matters” public education campaign to help residents better understand the role EMS plays and when and how to seek emergency care.
Mr. Beale brings a wide array of skills and expertise to his new role, having gained experience in a broad range of posts in the public sector.

Following his initial role in DER, Mr. Beale was promoted to Deputy Fire Coordinator for Fire Investigation in 2012. Named Dutchess County’s Emergency Management Coordinator in 2014, Mr. Beale trained more than 3,000 residents in disaster preparedness and managed countywide personal protective equipment (PPE) distribution during the COVID-19 pandemic. Promoted to Director of Emergency Management in 2022, Mr. Beale oversaw an innovated public health integrated emergency management model, the first of its kind in New York State. In January 2025, County Executive Serino appointed Mr. Beale as Acting DER Commissioner, supervising emergency management, public health preparedness, fire coordination, EMS and the County’s 911 Communications Center.

A former fire chief, and a member since 1992, of the Hughsonville Fire Department, most recently serving as a chief officer, he currently serves as a chief officer and emergency medical technician, Mr. Beale has served as an elected councilman and former Deputy Town Supervisor in the Town of Wappinger since 2007.

Mr. Beale holds an Associate in Applied Science in Criminal Justice from Dutchess Community College, a Bachelor of Science from Marist University in Organizational Leadership & Communication, and a Master of Public Administration from Marist.

Mr. Beale said, “It’s a privilege to earn the County Executive’s confidence to lead this team of skilled and talented public safety professionals within the Department of Emergency Response. In this new role, I remain committed to ensuring Dutchess County continues to be recognized as a leader through innovation and unique approaches to collaboration.”

County Executive Serino has forwarded a resolution confirming her appointment to the Dutchess County Legislature for consideration and approval at its Sept. 8, 2025 board meeting.