CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – New Hampshire’s first homeland security and emergency management director is on the job, after being sworn in Tuesday at the Statehouse.

Former Concord Fire Chief Chris Pope started the new job immediately.

He will oversee state-level planning, exercises and responses to terrorist threats and incidents and other disasters. Pope also will coordinate and collaborate with other state agencies to respond to health disasters including epidemics and other threats to public health.