State Rep. Driscoll’s emergency response experience tapped on House COVID-19 Working Group

The State’s house of representative and senate have each created working groups to provide guidance and leadership during the COVID-19 emergency. Members of the groups include those with backgrounds in medicine, public health and emergency management. Among the five members of the house working group is State Representative Bill Driscoll, Jr., of Milton.

Driscoll’s extensive emergency management experience was an important factor in his joining the working group. Per his bio, prior to his election to the State House, Driscoll, “…provided leadership in the U.S. disaster response arena, organizing volunteers and coordinating across organizations, emergency management professionals, and all levels of government to help communities affected by disaster.” In his leadership role, Driscoll has had “boots on the ground” at more than 40 nationally significant disaster events. Driscoll has also served in executive leadership roles for multiple national nonprofit organizations which included serving as Interim President and CEO of National VOAD, an association or non-profit organizations active in disaster response.

While regular business at the State House has been impacted during the coronavirus emergency, Driscoll has been active in promoting steps large and small to ensure the continuity of essential operations during this time including a virtual unemployment benefits town hall run by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and Department of Unemployment Assistance as well as the adoption of new tools for remote working at the state house for representatives and staff.

Driscoll’s website features a special COVID-19 section which provides updates and lists of resources.

In a recent press release, while encouraging constituents to adhere to the recommended public health measures including limiting social contacts, Driscoll stated:

I wish I could predict for you exactly how things are going to play out and when on a calendar, but my hope is that when we look back at this pandemic, we will be proud of how we met the challenge by supporting each other and adapting daily. We will get through this.