Michael D. Brown was officially sworn in as the first undersecretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in a ceremony on April 15. Brown was sworn in by DHS Secretary Tom Ridge. Brown will lead the directorate that includes the Federal Emergency Management Agency and directs the nation's preparations for and response to disasters. He will also oversee the U.S. Fire Administration.

He will coordinate federal disaster relief activities, including implementation of the Federal Response Plan, which authorizes the response and recovery operations of 26 federal agencies and departments, as well as the American Red Cross and the National Flood Insurance Program. He also will initiate proactive mitigation activities.

Additionally, as undersecretary, Brown will help the secretary of homeland security ensure the effectiveness of emergency responders and direct the Strategic National Stockpile, the National Disaster Medical System and the Nuclear Incident Response Team.

Previously Brown served as FEMA's deputy director and the agency's general counsel. Shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Brown served on the president's Consequence Management Principals Committee, which acted as the White House's policy coordination group for the federal domestic response to the attacks. Later, the president asked him to head the Consequence Management Working Group to identify and resolve key issues regarding the federal response plan.

Brown currently chairs the National Citizen Corps Council, part of the president's USA Freedom Corps volunteer initiative.

Prior to joining FEMA, Brown practiced law in Colorado and Oklahoma. His background in state and local government includes serving as an assistant city manager with emergency services oversight and as a city councilman.