Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi today announced his selection for Emergency Management Director. Richard A. Rotanz, who recently served as the Deputy Director in the Mayor's Office of Emergency Management, will join the Suozzi administration effective June 17. Mr. Rotanz will also be working with the Suozzi administration aiding in the restructuring of Nassau County's preparedness effort.

(L to R): Police Commissioner James Lawrence, Richard Rotanz, County Executive Thomas Suozzi, Fire Marshal Thomas Tilly, Deputy County Executive Anthony Cancellieri

"Mr. Rotanz will be an vital asset in Nassau County's pursuit of better preparedness for emergency situations," said County Executive Suozzi. "His experience in New York City will be a huge plus in helping to improve our own strategies."

Richard Rotanz was an integral force in establishing a Multi-Agency Command Post at the World Trade Center. His extensive work at Ground Zero includes coordinating the evacuation and rescue of building occupants of Tower One and Seven World Trade Center, and he designed and managed the present emergency Operation Center at Pier 92.

Mr. Rotanz has been serving the City of New York since becoming a firefighter in 1987, and as the Deputy Director to the Mayor's Office of Emergency Management since 2000. In this position he was the co-designer and Editor-in-Chief of all Emergency Management Planning for New York City. He planned for various forms of emergencies, including weather emergencies, aviation disasters, and terrorist attacks, among others.

Mr. Rotanz received his Masters of Science in Protection Management from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in 1996.