Joseph "Joe" VALIANTE

Joseph Valiante

Joe's 2011 Autobiography

Joseph J. Valiante is a 1961 graduate of Staples High School. He is a 35 year veteran of the Westport Fire Department, starting as a Firefighter and receiving numerous promotions, rising to the level of Assistant Chief. As an Assistant Chief, Joseph directed up to 60 Firefighters along with functional responsibility for budgeting, administration, federal and state compliance, quality assurance, labor relations, and training and development.

In addition to his career with the Westport Fire Department, Joe was a seven term elected official of the RTM (Representative Town Meeting), and a twenty year volunteer with IRS/AARP, where he provided free tax consultations for seniors and middle income families.

Joe, along with his colleagues, was heavily involved in the 9/11 rescue and clean-up at ground zero. He worked closely with his colleagues from Rescue 1 in Manhattan, where eleven of his friends were lost in the attack. Joe continuously supports Rescue 1 in the post 9/11 period, raising $172K in charitable contributions for Rescue 1 family members.

Joe owns a condominium in Hallandale, Florida, where he alternates his time from his home in Westport. Joe earned his degree in Fire Service Management and Technology. Also, he is a veteran of the National Guard. He is happily married to his wife Beverly for 45 years, and he has 2 children and 4 grandchildren.