Photo: Steven Puetzer / The Image Bank / Getty Images
The Dutchess County Legislature's Public Safety Committee will meet Thursday (September 4) to discuss appointing William "Bill" Beale as the new Commissioner of Emergency Response. Beale, currently serving as the Acting Commissioner, has been nominated by Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino. He has been with the Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response since 2003, starting as a Deputy Fire Coordinator and Assistant Division Chief for the Fire Investigation Division.
Beale's career in emergency services began in 1992 when he joined the Hughsonville Fire Department, and he became a New York State EMT in 1996. He has held various roles in the Hughsonville Fire District and has been the First Ward Councilman in the Town of Wappinger since 2007. In 2022, Beale was named director of emergency management, where he led the development of an innovative public health integrated emergency management model, the first of its kind in New York State.
Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino praised Beale's leadership, stating, "Bill has proven time and again that he has both the expertise and the heart for this work." Pawling Fire Chief Everett White also commended Beale, describing him as a "huge asset to the fire service."
The Public Safety Committee meeting will be held at 5:45 p.m. in the legislative chambers at 22 Market Street in Poughkeepsie. If the committee confirms Beale's appointment, it will go before the full legislature on September 8, 2025.