Groton - Emergency Management Director Joe Sastre has been appointed to the Public Safety Advisory Committee as part of the federal government’s First Responder Network Authority, also known as FirstNet, the committee announced on Tuesday.

He was selected as a member of the board to represent the International Association of Emergency Managers.

FirstNet was created under the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 as an independent authority under the National Telecommunications and Information Administration within the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The Public Safety Advisory Committee was established as a nationwide body comprised of representatives from public safety organizations from all disciplines of public safety as well as from state, territorial, tribal, and local governments. About 40 members provide their expertise and guidance to FirstNet as it creates a nationwide public safety broadband network.

“We are grateful that Joe has agreed to represent IAEM USA on this advisory committee,"  IAEM President Bruce Lockwood said in a written statement. "His leadership at the local and state levels of government in Connecticut along with his expertise in this area will ensure that local programs have a voice.”

Sastre has more than 35 years of public safety, emergency communications and emergency management experience. In addition to his position of Groton emergency management director, he serves as president of the Connecticut Emergency Management Association, Inc. and is a member of the Connecticut Managers of Emergency Communications Centers, Inc.

Sastre also serves as chairman of the Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Region 4 Regional Emergency Planning Team Steering Committee, serving 43 municipalities in Eastern Connecticut.