EPA Response to September 11 | Region 2

Joseph Picciano, P.E.

Mr. Joseph Picciano, P.E. As the Acting Regional Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) New York City Office Mr. Picciano is responsible for the day-to-day direction, management and monitoring of all FEMA/Department of Homeland Security (DHS) programs within the Region. These programs include all Federal efforts in response and recovery to disasters and emergencies in New York, New Jersey, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Over the last two years his office has overseen the World Trade Center federal recovery effort as well as many other challenging events impacting the public. With the transition of FEMA into the Department of Homeland Security Mr. Picciano continues to support the critical disaster response and recovery efforts of the agency.

Mr. Picciano has been with FEMA since the Agency's inception in 1979. During his employment with the Agency he has served in a multitude of positions supporting and managing programs including; offsite preparedness for nuclear power facilities; the administration of the National Flood Insurance Program; HAZMAT, national preparedness planning ;and, state and local emergency management. Additionally, he has testified before congressional committees on emergency management issues as well as providing technical assistance to state and local governments.

He has served as a Federal Coordinating Officer in Presidentially-declared Major Disasters and Emergency operations, appointed by the President and responsible for the coordination of all Federal assets and personnel deployed for response and recovery. Additionally, he has supported major disaster recovery efforts in Texas, California, New York and New Jersey; hurricanes in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; and Hurricane Andrew in Florida. He was the recipient of the Agency’s Meritorious Service Award for his service during the Virgin Islands Hurricane Hugo response operation.

In 2002 he received the national Director’s Award for his service during 911 and his management of the Region. He was also recognized by the New York Federal Executive Board with the Direct Service Award “For Outstanding Achievement in the Service of the United States Government.”

Prior to his service with FEMA, Mr. Picciano worked with engineering consultants in the fields of floodplain management, environmental planning and engineering. Mr. Picciano graduated from Newark College of Engineering in 1971 with a BS in Civil Engineering, and received a Masters Degree in Environmental Engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology in 1976. Mr. Picciano was honored as a distinguished Alumnus for 2002. Mr. Picciano is a licensed professional engineer.