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Executive Director

Indiana Department of Homeland Security
Joseph E. Wainscott, Jr., Executive Director
317.232.3980

Joseph E. Wainscott, Jr., began his duties as the Executive Director of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) March 17, 2008.

As IDHS’s executive director, Wainscott will be 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 the Indiana Intelligence Fusion Center. Wainscott also oversees the strategic plan for responding to homeland security emergencies, ensuring the training of first responders through the statewide fire training system, application and disbursement of federal homeland security funds, acting as the single 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.

Wainscott, who grew up in Madison County, was the IDHS director of training before his promotion to executive director. He was directly responsible for managing and coordinating training and exercise programs and overseeing the Indiana Firefighter Training System, among other duties. He established the 10 multi-county fire training districts and helped fund more accessible training facilities for firefighters to build their skills.

For three years before joining IDHS, Wainscott was the law enforcement coordinator for the U.S. Attorney's Office-Southern District of Indiana. He also is a 23-year veteran of the Indiana State Police (ISP). With the U.S. Attorney’s Office, he worked as a liaison between the office and federal, state, county and local law enforcement agencies in the southern two-thirds of Indiana.  He also was responsible for public safety training, terrorism, asset forfeiture and federally funded crime suppression initiatives. During his 23 years with the ISP, Wainscott served as assistant district commander of  Indianapolis Post, District 52, and was a member of the Emergency Response Team (SWAT) for 19 years and team leader for 12 years. He continues to serve as a member of the Indiana State Fraternal Order of Police Memorial Team.

Wainscott is a certified Indiana Law Enforcement Academy instructor, specializing in the area of Police Tactical Operations and Tactical Units. He also has served as an advisor for the Indiana School Safety Specialist Academy and received national certification in school safety leadership from the National School Safety Center.

In 2005, the State of Indiana consolidated all of its emergency management and homeland security efforts into one department by creating the IDHS. A unified Department of Homeland security was the vision of Governor Daniels and that vision became reality with the enactment of Senate Enrolled Act No. 56.