Captain Michael Puglisi serves as a Company Commander with the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department, where he is assigned as the Fireboat Captain. In this role, he leads emergency response operations on the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers, overseeing marine firefighting, rescue and homeland security missions. Captain Puglisi was the first officer on scene during the Potomac River mid-air collision, contributing to the initial response and coordination efforts. Captain Puglisi has served as his agency’s representative on the Metropolitan Council of Governments comprehensive update of the Potomac River Rescue, Assistance and Emergency Incident Response Plan, a multi-jurisdictional effort that most notably established the National Capitol Region Maritime Interoperability Zone to enhance communications among first responders.