Patrick A. Murphy has been serving as the Commissioner of the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency (DHSES) since February 2019. During his tenure at DHSES, Commissioner Murphy oversaw the establishment and maintenance of New York State’s critical COVID-19 response infrastructure, and, under his leadership, DHSES helped “flatten the curve” and delivered support to those most in need. Additionally, Commissioner Murphy has helped the state develop one of the strongest emergency response postures in the nation which achieved full accreditation and surpassed standards of the National Emergency Management Accreditation Program. DHSES comprises of four offices: Counter Terrorism, Emergency Management, Fire Prevention and Control, and Interoperable and Emergency Communications. Together, they provide leadership, coordination, and support for efforts to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorism and other man-made and natural disasters, threats, fires, and other emergencies.
Commissioner Murphy completes over 41 years of military service with his final assignment as the Director National Guard Bureau Joint Staff at the Pentagon, Washington D.C. He previously served as the principal staff officer to the Chief National Guard Bureau in an oversight role of over 450,000 National Guard soldiers and airmen. Commissioner Murphy’s duties included supervising the work of the National Guard Bureau Joint Staff with a focus on Homeland Defense and Defense Support to Civil Authorities. He previously served as The Adjutant General of the New York National Guard commanding a force of over 16,000 citizen soldiers and airmen. Prior to his time in New York, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff for National Guard Affairs, US Third Army in Kuwait and Director Civil Support Plans, U.S. Northern Command. Commissioner Murphy has served as a helicopter pilot, commanded at the company and battalion level and in brigade senior staff positions. He holds a B.S. from Iowa State University, a Master from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College.