NOAA’s Gulf of Mexico Disaster Response Center Hosts Leadership
NOVEMBER 18, 2019 — On Wednesday, November 6, the Gulf of Mexico Disaster Response Center (DRC0 in Mobile, Alabama hosted not one, but two distinguished guests - RDML Timothy Gallaudet, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, and CAPT van Westendorp, of the Office of Coast Survey, Navigation Services Division.
The concept for NOAA’s Gulf of Mexico Disaster Response Center (DRC) arose following the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season, which devastated most of the gulf coast. In our ever-changing environment, the facility stands tall, dedicated to improving the preparedness posture and response capability for both NOAA and our partners.
RDML Gallaudet spent time with the DRC team, and he spoke about his own experiences with Hurricane Katrina (when he lived and worked on the Mississippi Gulf Coast), expressing his appreciation for the hard work that both the DRC and the Disaster Preparedness Program do to improve our ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from these events.
CAPT van Westendorp and Tim Osborn also visited the DRC on Wednesday for a tour of the facility. Their division plays a critical role post-disasters; supporting the opening of waterways to navigation through their survey work.
For more information about the DRC please contact Jessica.White@noaa.gov.