"Colonel Joseph's record speaks for itself in terms of public service, personal excellence and his extensive military, law enforcement, and emergency response experience," Governor Rendell said. "He is well equipped to help us ensure that all of the Commonwealth's public safety agencies are well coordinated and prepared for any and all emergencies that may arise, natural or man-made."
In his most recent position with the National Guard, Colonel Joseph's responsibilities included:
- Coordination with the Governor's Office and PEMA with respect to the use of National Guard personnel and resources to respond to disaster events.
- Coordination and oversight of the National Guard's Civil Support Team (CST) and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear High-Yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package (NGCERFP), both of which assist state and local authorities in responding to and managing the consequences of a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and High-Yield Explosive (CBRNE) incidents/accidents.
- Coordination with various State and Federal agencies with respect to National Guard support of homeland security related missions and activities.
Colonel Joseph graduated with honors from York College of Pennsylvania and earned a master's degree in public administration from Shippensburg University. He also graduated from the Pennsylvania State Police Northeast Training Academy and the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, Quantico, Virginia.
His military career began as an enlisted soldier in 1971 and included a tour of duty in Vietnam. He completed his active duty tour at Fort Polk, La., and in 1974 joined the Pennsylvania Army National Guard as a combat engineer.
Colonel Joseph completed the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School in 1978 and was commissioned as an officer. He is also a graduate of the United States Army Engineer School, United States Army Command and General Staff College, Senior Transportation Officer School, and the United States Army War College in Carlisle. He has held numerous leadership positions and has commanded at Company, Battalion and Brigade levels.
Colonel Joseph was selected as the Chief of the National Guard Bureau Counterdrug Office in October 2001. The Counterdrug Office oversees a national program serving all U.S. states, territories and the District of Columbia. It supports Federal, State and Local law enforcement agencies and community-based organizations in the fight against illegal narcotics. Colonel Joseph served in this position until June 2004, when he was selected for his current position and returned to the Pennsylvania National Guard facility at Fort Indiantown Gap.
In addition to his extensive military career, Colonel Joseph retired from the Hazleton Police Department where he served as the chief of police.
Colonel Joseph has worked with the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence developing training programs for police and District Attorneys throughout Pennsylvania. His civic affiliations include the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars; Luzerne County, Northeast Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Associations; the Fraternal Order of Police; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy Associates.
In his position as PEMA's Deputy Director, Colonel Joseph will be primarily involved with operations, strategic planning and policy development, and the implementation of emergency management programs. He will assist in planning, directing, executing, and evaluating the delivery of statewide civil defense, preparedness, public health and safety and other emergency management services.
In addition, Colonel Joseph will assist in the coordination of the various Commonwealth departments and agencies that play lead roles in emergency management matters including the Office of Homeland Security, Pennsylvania State Police and Departments of Military and Veterans Affairs, Health and Agriculture.
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