NEW LEADER SELECTED TO GUIDE NORTH PLATTE WEATHER OFFICE

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service (NOAA National Weather Service) has named Brian L. Hirsch to head the North Platte National Weather Service forecast office. Hirsch begins his new duties as meteorologist in charge today, April 21. NOAA is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

A 14-year weather service veteran, Hirsch has held a variety of forecast and management positions in Oklahoma, Iowa and Michigan. From part-time beginnings as a cooperative student trainee at the Tulsa weather service office in 1989, Hirsch worked his way through forecasting positions with increasing responsibility to warning coordination program leader and meteorologist in charge.

“Brian Hirsch brings to North Platte a wealth of experience in working with emergency management and the public that will well serve the people of Nebraska,” NOAA Weather Service Central Region Director Dennis McCarthy said. “I know Brian’s leadership will be an asset to the staff and the community. He will continue to promote the excellent coordination with local governments, the business community and the public that has been a strong point of the North Platte forecast office.”

“During his weather service career, Brian has always had a vision of innovation and improvement of equipment, techniques and services. His past experience bodes well for a bright future at the North Platte office.”

Cutting his teeth on forecasting innovation as a student working in the Tulsa weather service office, Hirsch returned to Tulsa for full-time NOAA Weather Service employment after earning his bachelor’s degree in meteorology from the University of Nebraska in 1990. In 1994, Hirsch was selected to be a forecaster at the Quad Cities Weather Service office in Davenport, Iowa. Three years later, he was selected to be warning coordination meteorologist at the office near Gaylord, Mich., where he supervised the office’s warning and coordination programs to ensure strengthened relationships with emergency managers and other local officials.

“I am really excited about the opportunities that await in North Platte,” Hirsch said. “And I look forward to working with the excellent staff at the forecast office. With its frequently-changing weather conditions, Nebraska certainly presents some meteorological challenges. I’m looking forward to becoming part of an outstanding group of professionals who work together to ensure public safety in one of the most active areas of the country.”

The Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources.

Note: Media interested in scheduling interviews with Brian Hirsch may contact the North Platte weather service office by calling (308) 532-0921 after April 21.

On the Web:

NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov

NOAA National Weather Service: http://www.nws.noaa.gov