Ken Graham started the year with a plan.

In January, days before President Donald Trump was sworn back into office, the National Weather service director was in New Orleans for a meteorological conference, sharing his vision to transform the agency.

A top priority was putting more forecasters on the front lines of disaster response. And to do that, Graham – who began his NWS career as an intern in 1994 – wanted to embed meteorologists in emergency centers nationwide.

“We’re gonna get more local then ever,” he said during one of his conference talks. This kind of support “is what our emergency managers are demanding.”

But Graham’s plan to reinforce emergency centers with trained meteorologists has run headlong into Trump’s efforts to shrink the federal government.

The new governance implemented a federal hiring freeze on Jan. 20, and in the following months it culled around 600 staff members from the National Weather Service through layoffs and early retirement plans – leaving Graham’s vision in limbo.

Trump administration officials insist graham’s program will continue, despite the staff losses. NWS still intends to embed meteorologists and hydrologists in state emergency operations centers,FEMA regional headquarters and Coast Guard district headquarters,said Kim doster in an email. She’s the director of communications at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which houses NWS.

But it’s unclear how the program will move forward. Doster didn’t answer questions about when those jobs would be posted or which locations would be prioritized. NWS also declined repeated requests for an interview with Graham.

Meanwhile, the agency – which was recently authorized to begin hiring again – is scrambling to fill hundreds of vacant positions while some forecast offices remain critically understaffed. It’s unclear where the embedded specialist roles fall on the priority list.

Former NWS employees who worked with Graham say it’s clear the initiative isn’t proceeding as quickly or smoothly as it was intended. At the very least, they say, turmoil at the agency likely has interrupted an initiative designed to boost public safety while extreme weather events continue to wreak havoc around the country.

“I’m sure it’s changed,” said Brian LaMarre, a former NWS meteorologist and program manager who was working on Graham’s change plan before LaMarre retired from the agency in April.

It’s unclear how many embedded meteorologists would have been hired this year under Graham’s original vision. The first was brought on in November – a meteorologist to work full time from the Virginia state emergency operations center – and Graham gushed about the results during the meteorological conference in January, calling it an “absolute game changer.”

But the Virginia position was meant to be the first of many.

Graham had planned to start embedding full-time meteorologists or hydrologists in emergency operations centers across the country in 2025, including state emergency management offices, FEMA region headquarters and Coast Guard stations. A timeline he presented at the American Meteorological Society conference in New Orleans described 2025 as a test year for the program,with “many” meteorologists working out of emergency management offices by 2033.

Graham ultimately hoped to make embedded specialists possible for at least 69 locations across the country, according to LaMarre. They comprise 50 state emergency operations centers, 10 FEMA region headquarters and nine Coast Guard district stations.

At least one embedded position was canceled amid the agency’s upheaval this year.

A meteorologist was selected in January to work full time out o

National Weather Service to Directly Support Local emergency Management

The National Weather Service (NWS) is poised to considerably expand its direct support to local emergency management agencies, a move heralded as a crucial step in improving disaster preparedness and response. This shift, years in the making, will embed NWS personnel within local emergency operations centers, providing real-time weather expertise and tailored forecasts. Publication Date: 2025/09/13 03:01:42

The Evolution of NWS Support

historically, the NWS has provided weather forecasts and warnings to the public and emergency managers. however, the delivery of this information often lacked the direct, collaborative element needed for optimal decision-making during rapidly evolving weather events. The new initiative aims to bridge this gap by physically placing NWS meteorologists and specialists alongside local emergency responders. This change builds upon a concept initially proposed by former NWS official,Kevin Graham,and refined through extensive collaboration with state and local partners.

A Collaborative Approach

The core of the initiative involves embedding NWS personnel – specifically, forecast specialists and decision support meteorologists – directly into local emergency operations centers (EOCs). These specialists will work alongside local emergency managers to interpret forecasts, assess risks, and develop tailored response strategies. The NWS is currently seeking to fill positions in states, at FEMA headquarters, and at Coast Guard stations that have requested them . This targeted approach ensures resources are deployed where they are most needed and requested.

Why This Change Now?

Several factors are driving this shift. Forecast accuracy has improved dramatically in recent decades, thanks to advancements in technology and modeling . Though, the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, coupled with population growth in vulnerable areas, necessitate a more proactive and collaborative approach to disaster preparedness. As LaMarre, a former NWS meteorologist and program manager, stated, “It’s been long in the making, and I think it’s at the peak where now is the time to execute this change.”

Benefits of Direct Support

• Enhanced Communication: Direct co-location fosters clearer and more efficient communication between NWS and local emergency managers.
• Tailored Forecasts: NWS personnel can provide forecasts specifically tailored to the needs of the local community, considering unique geographical features and vulnerabilities.
• Improved Risk Assessment: Real-time collaboration allows for a more accurate and nuanced assessment of weather-related risks.
• Faster Response Times: Having an NWS expert on-site enables quicker decision-making and a more coordinated response to evolving weather threats.

Support from Experts and Emergency Managers

The initiative has garnered support from both weather experts and emergency management professionals. Local emergency managers, such as those in St. Louis County, have expressed interest in the broader concept, recognizing the potential for improved preparedness and response capabilities. The move is seen as a natural progression in the ongoing effort to strengthen the nation’s resilience to extreme weather events.

Key Takeaways

• The NWS is embedding personnel in local emergency operations centers.
• This initiative aims to improve communication, tailor forecasts, and enhance risk assessment.
• The change is driven by increasing extreme weather events and advancements in forecasting technology.
• The program is being rolled out based on requests from states, FEMA, and the Coast Guard.

looking ahead, the success of this initiative will depend on continued collaboration between the NWS and local emergency management agencies. As climate change continues to drive more frequent and intense weather events, this direct support model represents a vital step towards building a more resilient nation.