Making the hop to Washington DC.

Fun day ahead as we kickoff 2018 Hurricane season with a national VTC at FEMA HQ.

In the National Response Coordination Center, the same place where we brief our partners from across the nation during critical events, emergencies, and/or disasters.

Introductions by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Brock Long.

Additional information provided from USNORTHCOM/NORAD Commander General Terrence O’Shaughnessy, Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary Dr. Neil Jacobs, and the National Hurricane Center/NOAA Director Kenneth Graham with a brief outlook for the 2018 Hurricane season.

We heard briefings from Region-4, Region-1, Region-2, Region-3, Region-6, and Region-9 on testing communications capabilities across state/region and hurricane shortfalls from 2017 and last-mile logistical capability.

Look closely, we had the White House jump in on the call too.

Special call-ins from the State of Maryland Emergency Management Agency’s (MEMA) Executive Director Russell Strickland who was calling in from catastrophic flooded Ellicott City, Maryland.

Great to see so many partners providing insight into their programs.

Their pre-existing relationships for local, state, and Federal partnerships will enhance the response and recovery piece for any area affected by hurricanes.

Special shout out to FEMA IGA Ryan Streeter who was deployed with me during Hurricane Irma in the Florida Keys.

Working the magic for IGA today. Glad to be part of the team.

Also glad to see Gloria, Nicole, Kia, Al, and Sarah today too.

@rusnivek