Boston EMS head appointed to FEMA

BOSTON - President Barack Obama has nominated Boston Emergency Medical Services chief Richard Serino as deputy administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The Obama administration announced the appointment to the Department of Homeland Security agency in a statement released late Thursday.

The administration cited Serino's 35-year career in emergency management and emergency medical services.

Serino, who is also the Assistant Director for the Boston Public Health Commission, said in a statement that he was humbled and honored.

Serino has also served as a guest lecturer at Harvard and Boston University on homeland security and emergency preparedness issues.

He also served as a national faculty member for the Domestic Preparedness Program at the U.S. Department of Defense.