June 8, 2007

NYC OEM

Hurricane Liaison Team

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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

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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 TeamHLT 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

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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 TeamMission

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

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HLTHLT

FEMA NRCC

National Hurricane Center @ the Tropical

Prediction Center

HLT

Hurricane Liaison TeamCommunication Flowchart

FEMA RRCC

State EOCs

Local EOCsLocal NWSFOs

Hurricane

Hotline

DHS NOC

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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 TeamResponsibilities

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

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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 TeamSummary 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

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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 TeamSummary of Operations

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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 TeamSummary 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

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ActivationLevel

Description

NormalOperations

HLT Coordinator at the NHC ensures the readiness of the HLT operating facility and equipment.

Level ThreeOne Partial Team (day shift only) composed of a Team Leader and a Technical Services Specialist.

Level Two One Complete Team (day shift only).

Level OneTwo complete teams (day shift and night shift) comprised of a Team Leader, Technical Services Specialist, Meteorologist, Reports Specialist and Coordination Officer.

Hurricane Liaison TeamActivation Levels

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

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NWS Team Candidates

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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

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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

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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

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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 TeamSummary

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

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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

Hurricane Liaison TeamContact Us