June 8, 2007

1. Hurricane Liaison Team NYC OEM June 8, 2007

2. Hurricane Liaison Team • Partnership between the NWS and FEMA • Team of FEMA staff & NWS meteorologists and hydrologists that respond to the National Hurricane Center • Augment rapid communications NOAA Former National Hurricane Center Director Max Mayfield and DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff conduct a national press conference.

3. Hurricane Liaison Team HLT Background • Initial idea arose in early 1990’s • Successfully proven during response to the 1995 Hurricane Season • Became formal in 1996 by FEMA Director upon request of Governor of Florida and Director of National Hurricane Center Andy Newman Former National Hurricane Center Director Max Mayfield discusses where to issue watches and warnings along the west coast of Florida for Hurricane Charley.

4. Hurricane Liaison Team Mission • CoordinationCooperationCollaboration • Support hurricane response operations through the rapid exchange of critical information between the National Hurricane Center and emergency managers at all levels. Melissa Ann Janssen/FEMA FEMA Hurricane Liaison Team Technical Support Officer Ed Simmers prepares for a video teleconference with those states potentially affected by Hurricane Ivan.

5. Hurricane Liaison Team DHS NOC Communication Flowchart FEMA NRCC National Hurricane Center @ the Tropical Prediction Center FEMA RRCC HLT HLT State EOCs Hurricane Hotline Local NWSFOs Local EOCs

6. Hurricane Liaison Team White House Photo President George W. Bush is handed a map by Deputy Chief of Staff Joe Hagin, center, during a video teleconference with federal and state emergency management organizations on hurricane Katrina from his Crawford, Texas ranch on Sunday August 28, 2005. Responsibilities • Facilitate video and audio conference briefings to Federal and State agencies • Direct issues of importance to the NHC Hurricane Specialists • Field and refer emergency management calls to appropriate state or other offices

7. Hurricane Liaison Team Summary of Operations • Full-time FEMA staff at the NHC • HLT may be activated when a hurricane threatens the United States or territories and the NHC deems the assistance is required • Full activation can occur within 24 hours of notification • Request support from local NWS WFOs to the NHC • HLT remains operational until the hurricane threat passes Billy Wagner Max Mayfield, former director of the National Hurricane Center and Kevin Pleasants, September 2, 2004, at the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

8. Hurricane Liaison Team Summary of Operations • Establishes and facilitates video/teleconferences with the NHC/NWS, FEMA and other Federal agencies, and State Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs). • Responds to emergency management questions and concerns. Max Mayfield prepares for a video teleconference with FEMA and the potentially affected states.

9. Hurricane Liaison Team Summary of Operations • Directs weather-related questions to NHC specialists, HLT meteorologists, hydrologists, or WFOs. • Relays emergency management issues to NHC specialists and WFOs. • Provides hurricane-forecast information to emergency management officials on request. Melissa Ann Janssen/FEMA Former FEMA Hurricane Liaison Team Leader Brock Long and NWS hydrometeorologist Keith Stellman keep the states potentially affected by Hurricane Ivan informed of its path through the Gulf of Mexico.

10. Hurricane Liaison Team Activation Levels

11. Hurricane Liaison Team NWS Team Candidates • Meteorologists • Steve Letro, MIC, WFO JAX • Bart Hagemeyer, MIC, WFO MLB • Bill Read, MIC, WFO HGX • Ray Fagen, MIC, WFO MAF • Joe Arellano, MIC, WFO SAT • Rusty Pfost, MIC, WFO MIA • Larry Vannozzi, MIC, WFO OHX • Bill Alexander, MIC, WFO EPZ • Walt Zaleski, WCM, SRH • Gene Hafele, WCM, WFO HGX • Dan Noah, WCM, WFO TBW • Rafael Mojica, WCM, WFO SJU • Roger Erickson, WCM, WFO LCH • Hector Guerrero, WCM, WFO SJT • Jesse Haro, WCM, WFO ABQ • Tim Troutman, WCM, WFO HUN • Hydrologists • John Feldt, HIC, SERFC • Dave Reed, HIC, LMRFC • Bill Lawrence, DOH, ABRFC • Keith Stellman, Training Officer, SRH • Greg Shelton, S. HAS, WGRFC • Jeff Graschel, S. HAS, WGRFC • Greg Waller, S. Hydro, WGRFC • John Schmidt, S. Hydro, ABRFC • Todd Hamill, S. Hydro, SERFC • Mark Fuchs, S. Hydro, SERFC

12. Hurricane Liaison Team Sample Broadcast Graphics • Watches and Warnings(HURREVAC display of Watches and Warnings for Hurricane Ivan) • Storm Surge(SLOSH display of Storm Surge forecast for Hurricane Ivan) • Inland Winds • Severe Weather outlooks

13. Hurricane Liaison Team Sample Broadcast Graphics • Satellite Imagery(GOES 12 Visible imagery of Hurricane Ivan - Sept 15, 2004) • Radar Imagery(Melbourne NWS Office radar for Hurricane Frances) • Rainfall Forecasts(HPC Quantitative Precipitation Forecasts issued for days 1, 2, 3 and 5-day total) • Flood Outlooks • Flash Flood potential

14. Hurricane Liaison Team Windows Media Public Advisory • Narrated loop of graphical information for latest advisory • Narrated by HLT member • Can be found on FEMA’s Web site.

15. Hurricane Liaison Team Summary • Provide an avenue for the rapid exchange of communication with the National Hurricane Center • Provide information as a key decision tool for evacuation decision making to save lives • Aid in providing information for response resource allocations Video Teleconfernece during Hurricane Rita. President Bush, Governor Blanco and Mayor Nagin are being briefed by DHS, FEMA and the NHC.

16. Hurricane Liaison Team Contact Us • Matthew GreenHLT Coordinatormatthew.green@dhs.gov • HLT Phone Numbers(305) 225-4217(305) 225-2044(305) 225-2184 • HLT E-mailhlt1@dhs.gov • HLT Web sitewww.fema.gov/hlt