Nov 24, 2004 By Jenny Susa 3 min read

LUZERNE TWP. – Director of emergency services D.J. Angelone officially resigned from his position Tuesday and was commended by his colleagues for all his years of service. Angelone said he had faced many disasters over the years, and recalled the flood of 1985 as the most severe in this area.

“We survived them all,” said Angelone, adding that he had enjoyed working with the fire department and other emergency service personnel over the years.

“When I started working in the office of emergency services, I made a promise to the township supervisors that I would make this office more active and responsible,” said Angelone.

“I think I can say that I have kept that promise. I had to face a lot of uncomfortable situations in my position, but I don’t believe anyone else in the same position would have provided the township with different counsel in the same circumstances.”

After Angelone had thanked everyone who had served with him over the years, Deputy Director Jim Harvey said that Angelone “deserves a lot of credit.”

“I think he drug this township into the 20th century,” said Harvey. “He was tireless in what he did. He focused on the things that needed to be done. We didn’t always see eye to eye, but he was here for this township 100 percent of the time.”

Since the township supervisors had appointed Bob Miller to take Angelone’s place earlier this month, pending appointment from Gov. Rendell, Angelone said he wished him the best and he hoped it would be a smooth transition.

“It won’t be easy,” Angelone told Miller. “There will be obstacles and you will make some people unhappy. Some of your recommendations will not be well received.”

Angelone told the public that he hoped they would support Miller as he assumed leadership of the office.

Miller agreed with Harvey’s statements about Angelone’s service as director.

“He has developed a good working relationship with the township supervisors and the fire departments,” said Miller. “I expect he will be there when I need to find out what we should do next. He should be congratulated on what he has done in the past.”

Miller said there would be no changes in the structure of the staff, but said they will schedule an organization meeting for January.

“We will need to plan out where we want to go from this point,” said Miller.

The board discussed comments from firefighters about training required by the state in order to get funding. Miller said that certification of drivers was being required because “if you’re not trained to do the job, you’re liable for the job you’re doing.” He said it is likely that these requirements will be nationwide, and added that some departments are already becoming nationally certified.

“We’re being forced to change, but overall I think it will be a positive change,” said Miller.