By a vote of 98-0, on Tuesday, Feb. 15, the U.S. Senate approved Judge Michael Chertoff’s nomination to serve as the nation’s second secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. He replaces former Pennsylvania governor Tom Ridge, who stepped down on Feb. 1.

Chertoff, who is giving up a lifetime appointment as a federal appeals court judge, leads the new federal department that oversees 22 federal agencies, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Fire Administration, the National Fire Academy and many federal grant programs for fire and emergency services departments.

“The IAFC is committed to working with Secretary Chertoff to improve homeland security and to be sure DHS supports the key role that the fire service has within homeland security,” said Bob DiPoli, president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

The IAFC noted that during his nomination hearings, Chertoff indicated his willingness to ensure the fire service has a voice within DHS. “I have learned to appreciate the perspectives of state and local officials because I have shared their vantage point,” said Chertoff in his introductory remarks. “And just as important, from my vantage point on September 11th and in the weeks and months that followed, along with everyone else in America, I saw the heroism and sacrifice and the commitment of fire fighters, police and other emergency response professionals…I look forward to working with them to make the great promise of this still-new department a reality for them and those they serve.”

Before serving as an appeals court judge in the Third U.S. Circuit Court, Chertoff was confirmed by the Senate to serve in the Bush Administration as assistant attorney general for the Criminal Division at the Department of Justice. In that role, 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.

Prior to serving in the Bush administration, Chertoff was a partner in the law firm of Latham & Watkins. From 1994 to 1996, he served as special counsel for the U.S. Senate Whitewater Committee. He spent more than a decade as a federal prosecutor, including service as U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, and Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College in 1975 and magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1978. From 1979-1980 he served as a clerk to Supreme Court Justice William Brennan, Jr.

According a Thursday report by CQ.com, Chertoff introduced himself to the staff on Wednesday and named two top staff members. A former White House official, Brian Besanceney, will be Chertoff’s chief spokesman. Besanceney had been a special assistant to the president and, before that, principal spokesman for the White House Homeland Security Council. A former Department of Justice official, John F. Wood, will be his chief of staff.