# Presentation: 476621

## Hurricane Liaison Team

- April 2007

## Partnership between the NWS and FEMA
Team of FEMA staff & NWS meteorologists and hydrologists that respond to the National Hurricane Center
Augment rapid communications

- 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

## 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

- 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

## 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.

- CoordinationCooperationCollaboration
- 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

## Hurricane Liaison Team

- HLT

**FEMA NRCC**

**National Hurricane Center ****@ the Tropical Prediction Center**

**HLT**

- Communication Flowchart

**FEMA RRCC**

**State EOCs**

**Local EOCs**

**Local NWSFOs**

**Hurricane Hotline**

**DHS NOC**

## 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

- 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

## 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

- 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

## 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.

- 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

## 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.

- 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

## Hurricane Liaison Team

| 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. |

- Activation Levels

## Hurricane Liaison Team

| 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. |

- Activation Levels

## Hurricane Liaison Team

| 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. |

- Activation Levels

## Hurricane Liaison Team

| 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. |

- Activation Levels

## 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

## 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

## Hurricane Liaison Team

- Narrated loop of graphical information for latest advisory
- Narrated by HLT member
- Can be found on on FEMA’s Tropical Storm Watch Page_[www.fema.gov/fema/trop.htm](http://www.fema.gov/fema/trop.htm)_

- Windows Media Public Advisory

## 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

- 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.

## Slide 18