Webinar - The Call to Service: Recruiting Veterans into Volunteer Emergency Service Departments

Joe Danao is a 42-year veteran of the volunteer fire and EMS service out of two stations in Connecticut. He holds numerous certifications in firefighting, HAZMAT, ICS, Fire Officer, and Instructor. He held all officer ranks up to Deputy Chief. Joe retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the Connecticut National Guard in 2015 after more than 33 years of service. He was a qualified communications NCO and a Combat Engineer Officer. His significant awards include the Bronze Star Medal for service in Afghanistan in 2010, Meritorious Service Medal two awards, Army Commendation Medal 5 awards, Army Achievement Medal 5 awards.

Joe is currently employed as Deputy Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs, where he oversees more than 250 employees who provide services and support to more than 200 residents and more than 150,000 Connecticut Veterans. Joe is also employed as an Instructor at the Connecticut Fire Academy, where he is credentialed to teach multiple courses. Joe is involved in numerous state and local committees and non-profit activities. He serves as working group chair of ESF#8 (Public Health) of the Connecticut Division of Homeland Security Region #4, and President of the Eastern Connecticut EMS Council, Inc.

Joe possesses an associate's, a bachelor's, and three master 's-level degrees. He is currently working on a Doctor of Education at the University of St Augustine, majoring in Healthcare Executive Leadership. His dissertation project is titled Professional Survival: Executive Education for Every Emergency Medical Services Professional – A Qualitative Study. Joe is an active volunteer with the National Volunteer Fire Council’s AFG grant management program and annual training summit.