1. June 8, 2007 NYC OEM Hurricane Liaison Team

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

3. 3  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 Hurricane Liaison Team HLT Background Former National Hurricane Center Director Max Mayfield discusses where to issue watches and warnings along the west coast of Florida for Hurricane Charley. Andy Newman

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

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

6. 6  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 Hurricane Liaison Team Responsibilities 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. White House Photo

7. 7  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 Hurricane Liaison Team Summary of Operations Max Mayfield, former director of the National Hurricane Center and Kevin Pleasants, September 2, 2004, at the National Hurricane Center in Miami. Billy Wagner

8. 8  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. Hurricane Liaison Team Summary of Operations

9. 9  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. Hurricane Liaison Team Summary of Operations 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. Melissa Ann Janssen/FEMA

10. 10 Activation Level Description Normal Operations HLT Coordinator at the NHC ensures the readiness of the HLT operating facility and equipment. Level Three One Partial Team (day shift only) composed of a Team Leader and a Technical Services Specialist. Level Two One Complete Team (day shift only). Level One Two complete teams (day shift and night shift) comprised of a Team Leader, Technical Services Specialist, Meteorologist, Reports Specialist and Coordination Officer. Hurricane Liaison Team Activation Levels

11. 11 Activation Level Description Normal Operations HLT Coordinator at the NHC ensures the readiness of the HLT operating facility and equipment. Level Three One Partial Team (day shift only) composed of a Team Leader and a Technical Services Specialist. Level Two One Complete Team (day shift only). Level One Two complete teams (day shift and night shift) comprised of a Team Leader, Technical Services Specialist, Meteorologist, Reports Specialist and Coordination Officer. Hurricane Liaison Team Activation Levels

12. 12 Activation Level Description Normal Operations HLT Coordinator at the NHC ensures the readiness of the HLT operating facility and equipment. Level Three One Partial Team (day shift only) composed of a Team Leader and a Technical Services Specialist. Level Two One Complete Team (day shift only). Level One Two complete teams (day shift and night shift) comprised of a Team Leader, Technical Services Specialist, Meteorologist, Reports Specialist and Coordination Officer. Hurricane Liaison Team Activation Levels

13. 13 Activation Level Description Normal Operations HLT Coordinator at the NHC ensures the readiness of the HLT operating facility and equipment. Level Three One Partial Team (day shift only) composed of a Team Leader and a Technical Services Specialist. Level Two One Complete Team (day shift only). Level One Two complete teams (day shift and night shift) comprised of a Team Leader, Technical Services Specialist, Meteorologist, Reports Specialist and Coordination Officer. Hurricane Liaison Team Activation Levels

14. Hurricane Liaison Team  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 14 NWS Team Candidates

15. 15 Hurricane Liaison Team  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 Sample Broadcast Graphics

16. 16 Hurricane Liaison Team  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 Sample Broadcast Graphics

17. 17 Hurricane Liaison Team  Narrated loop of graphical information for latest advisory  Narrated by HLT member  Can be found on FEMA’s Web site. Windows Media Public Advisory

18. 18  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 Hurricane Liaison Team Summary Video Teleconfernece during Hurricane Rita. President Bush, Governor Blanco and Mayor Nagin are being briefed by DHS, FEMA and the NHC.

19. 19  Matthew Green HLT Coordinator matthew.green@dhs.gov matthew.green@dhs.gov  HLT Phone Numbers (305) 225-4217 (305) 225-2044 (305) 225-2184  HLT E-mail hlt1@dhs.gov hlt1@dhs.gov  HLT Web site www.fema.gov/hlt www.fema.gov/hlt Hurricane Liaison Team Contact Us