Acting public safety director appointed
RENSSELAER COUNTY, N.Y. » County Executive Steve McLaughlin has announced the appointment of Jay Wilson as Acting County Bureau of Public Safety Director.
Wilson has decades of experience in the emergency services community in the county, including service as chief of the Wynantskill Fire Department. He was employed as a training and education administrator with the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York.
“Jay Wilson has worked for nearly 40 years helping protect our county, our residents and their property. He has a vast amount of experience and ability needed to help guide the very important emergency services in our county,” said McLaughlin.
“I appreciate the opportunity to serve our great county in this new and important role,” said Wilson. “I look forward to working to the best of my ability to protect our county and the people we serve.”
As acting director, Wilson will oversee emergency communications functions at the county BPS, along with helping oversee and assist with preparation and training for emergency response. Wilson will also coordinate grant applications for emergency services in the county.
Along with those duties, Wilson will also help coordinate redevelopment of the county training tower, now located in Wynantskill, said McLaughlin. Wilson will also focus on recruitment and retention efforts in the county for volunteer agencies.
Wilson succeeds BPS Director Kelly Paslow, who retired at the end of 2017 following years of dedicated service to the county.
“Jay Wilson is known and respected in the emergency services community and is a very solid choice to lead the Bureau of Public Safety. County emergency services will benefit from having someone with Jay’s expertise and ability as BPS director,” said Mike Stammel, chair of the Legislature.
“For years, Jay Wilson has been on the front lines of emergency services in the Wynantskill community. There are a number of big projects ahead for emergency services and Jay is the right person to lead our BPS,” said Kelly Hoffman, vice chair of the Legislature.
Wilson will be paid $80,000 as acting BPS director.