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IDHS > About IDHS > Mission & Executive Staff > Executive Director - Joe Wainscott Executive Director

Joseph E. Wainscott, Jr.IDHS Director Wainscott
317.232.3980

Joseph E. Wainscott, Jr. was appointed by Governor Mitch Daniels to serve as the Executive Director of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security in March, 2008.  As IDHS’ Executive Director, Wainscott is responsible for the state’s emergency management and homeland security efforts, which include planning and assessment, preparedness and training, emergency response and recovery, fire and building safety, and field services.  Wainscott oversees the strategic planning for responding to homeland security emergencies, ensuring the training of first responders through statewide training systems, application and disbursement of federal homeland security funds, acting as the emergency operations coordinator during state emergencies and serving as the director of the Counter Terrorism and Security Council, which is chaired by Indiana's Lieutenant Governor.  He also serves as the chair of the Homeland Security Committee for the National Emergency Management Association and one of the tri-chairs of the National Homeland Security Consortium.  Wainscott represents Indiana as a member of the Central United States Earthquake Consortium and vice-chair of the Indiana State Trauma Care Committee as well.

Wainscott was the IDHS Director of Training before his promotion to Executive Director. He was directly responsible for managing and coordinating training, exercise, and certification programs and overseeing the establishment of the Indiana Firefighter Training System, among other duties. He coordinated the development of ten multi-county fire training committees and helped to fund more accessible training facilities, equipment and activities for Indiana’s firefighters.  During that time, he served as the vice-chair of the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board and as a board member of the Indiana Board of Fire Fighting Personnel Standards and Education.

Previously, Wainscott served as the Law Enforcement Coordinator for the United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana (Department of Justice).  He was the liaison between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal, state, county, and local law enforcement and other public safety agencies throughout the southern two-thirds of Indiana.  In that position, he also had responsibilities in the areas of public safety training, terrorism, asset forfeiture, and federally funded crime reduction initiatives such as such as Weed and Seed and Project Safe Neighborhoods.

Wainscott retired as a twenty-three year veteran of the Indiana State Police where he was last assigned as the Assistant District Commander of the Indianapolis Post, District 52.  He served as a member of the Emergency Response Team (SWAT) for nineteen years and ERT team leader for the last twelve years.   He has instructed tactical units in preparation for the 1987 Pan Am Games (Indianapolis, IN), 1993 World University Games (Buffalo, NY), 1994 World Cup Soccer (Foxboro, MA and Newark NJ), and the 1996 Summer Olympics (Atlanta, GA).

He served as a member of the Indiana State Fraternal Order of Police Critical Incident Memorial Team for 17 years, responding to line of duty law enforcement deaths throughout Indiana to assist the affected family, police department and community during these traumatic events.

Wainscott served on the Indiana State School Superintendent’s advisory group for school safety from 1996 until 2003 and was reappointed in 2009 to serve again on that committee.  He has also served as an advisor and instructor for the Indiana School Safety Specialist Academy.