Mario Formisano has served as Dorchester County's Deputy Administrator for Public Safety since July 1, 2021.  In this role, he assists the County Administrator in implementing County policies as established by the County Council to promote the public safety and welfare of county residents, businesses, and visitors.

In addition to overseeing the departments below, Formisano serves as liaison to the Dorchester County Sheriff and Coroner, and works closely with the Dorchester Alcohol and Drug Commission to manage the opioid abatement program.  In 2025, he lead the development of the County's 5-year strategic plan and it's continued implementation.

From 2011 to 2021, Formisano served as Dorchester County's Director of Emergency Management, where he helped manage six federally declared disasters.  He has more than 20 years in public service, working for the South Carolina Emergency Management Division as a regional emergency manager and was part of the disaster services team with the Summit County Chapter of the American Red Cross in Akron, Ohio. 

Formisano is an active member of the South Carolina City County Management Association and South Carolina Association of Counties, serving on the Public Safety, Corrections, and Judicial Policy Steering Committee.  He is a Past President of the South Carolina Emergency Management Association. 

He holds an Associate of Applied Science in Fire Protection Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management from the University of Akron and a Master of Public Administration from the College of Charleston.  Formisano is a Credential Manager by the International City County Management Association.  In 2025, Formisano was appointed to the Summerville Family YMCA Board of Directors. He is a native of Northeast Ohio, but has been called the Lowcountry home since 2007. 

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Oversees

This position provides coordinated leadership for the following departments:

• Consolidated Dispatch 
• Emergency Management
• Emergency Medical Services
• Fire Rescue
• Public Information