Department of Homeland Security Secretary Visits
NOAA National Weather Service Offices in Miami
(Sept. 27, 2005) - Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff paid a special visit to the NOAA/NWS facility that is home to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and Weather Forecast Office (WFO) in Miami. NWS Director David Johnson, Southern Region Director Bill Proenza and NHC Director Max Mayfield were on hand to greet the Secretary and give him a personal briefing on the operations of the National Weather Service. Following a tour of the NHC, led by Max Mayfield, Secretary Chertoff moved on to the WFO, where Southern Region Director Proenza and Meteorologist-in-Charge Rusty Pfost briefed him on the wide range of weather forecast and warning services provided by the WFO to South Florida and to the nation by the NWS network of 122 WFOs, 13 River Forecast Centers and 21 Center Weather Service Units. Proenza emphasized the critical role of National Weather Service WFOs during natural events, including hurricanes, tornadoes, flash floods and winter storms. He noted these local offices provide a wide range of forecast and warning products and services for a nation that experiences the most severe weather on Earth. He also said the NWS is always ready to provide up-to-the-minute weather support and critical value added local forecast office expertise to DHS and the nation. On February 15, 2005, Michael Chertoff was sworn in as the second Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Chertoff formerly served as United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. He was previously confirmed by the Senate to serve in the Bush Administration as Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division at the Department of Justice. As Assistant Attorney General, he helped trace the 9/11 terrorist attacks to the al-Qaida network, and worked to increase information sharing within the FBI and with state and local officials. BACK: SRH News |
