Governor Appoints McDowell County Native to Lead Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Press Release

Governor Appoints McDowell County Native To Lead Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Gov. Joe Manchin today announced his appointment of James J. Gianato of Kimball to serve as the new director of the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

Gianato (pronounced "Jeanette"), 46, has served as the director of the McDowell County Office of Emergency Services since 1991. He has been instrumental in overseeing development of all plans for the county's 911 system and coordinating response to several federally declared disasters during his tenure - including two of the worst flood disasters to ever strike McDowell County and West Virginia's southern coalfields region. For the past nine years, he has also served as a Deputy Assistant State Fire Marshal with the West Virginia State Fire Marshal's Office.

"Jimmy Gianato is well-respected by his colleagues on both the state and federal level for his proven leadership on a wide range of emergency management and homeland security areas. I am pleased that one of our best leaders in the field is accepting the task of coordinating and overseeing our statewide efforts," the governor said. "Working in conjunction with Military Affairs and Public Safety Secretary Jim Spears, West Virginians can be assured that this is a leadership team that will bring the utmost accountability and responsible management practices to the day-to-day statewide coordination of our state's first responders, emergency personnel and homeland security efforts."

Gianato began his emergency services career as a volunteer firefighter with the Kimball Volunteer Fire Department in 1972, and currently serves as the department's Fire Chief. He has served as a member of the West Virginia Enhanced 911 Council, and been actively involved in the passage of major legislation that has resulted in vast improvements in the state's E-911 system.

Gianato is a member of the West Virginia Chapter of the International Association of Fire and Arson Investigators; the West Virginia EMS-TSN Board, and is vice-chairman of the West Virginia Statewide Mapping and Addressing Board.

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