[Skywarn] Skywarn "shortcomings"

[Bradly L. McGarr]

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Gregg,

Thanks for your message and the great points made. I'd only like to add 
a couple of things.

First, we have to remember we're all volunteers. As someone who has 
volunteered in Emergency Services from the American Red Cross, to local 
Fire Departments, to SKYWARN, scarcity is the name of the game. That's 
scarcity in support, scarcity in what is provided, slow response times 
to inquiries, etc. The best "support" I ever got was with a local fire 
department working as their IT Support Volunteer, but then again I was 
in the Chief's office 2-3 times a week at least. It's easy to get high 
amounts of support when you have the ear of the 'CEO' on a regular 
basis, but even then largely what I received was use of a Command Unit 
for performing department functions, t-shirt and credentials to get 
beyond police checkpoints. The Red Cross, for example, I had to buy 100% 
of my gear and supplies, and all I was provided were my forms and 
credentials.

SKYWARN, on the other hand, doesn't really qualify as an emergency 
services outfit so the need for formal credentials are non-existent, and 
as Gregg pointed out, the WFO is going to have different policies in 
place regarding ID numbers in each region based on their budget, etc. 
Boulder, for example, has a pretty robust SKWARN program where spotter 
numbers are assigned, letters are mailed upon first registration, etc.

What this should all tell us is that if we feel SKYWARN is a critical 
component of the NWS, you need to let those who control the purse 
strings know that: Your Congresspersons. A big part of that though would 
be asking Congress to better fund the NWS instead of treating it like a 
function that should be cut off and sold to the highest bidder in the 
private sector. Just based on my interactions with the NWS 
meteorologists in Boulder, they look at SKYWARN as a very important, 
critical resource in getting those ground-truths in to them, be it heavy 
rain and hail, snow, or a tornado. Our WFO may be unique in that regard.

- ---
REV. BRADLY L. MCGARR
Microsoft Certified Professional - Microsoft Technology Associate
CompTIA A+ Certified Technician
CIW Web Foundations Associate

Phone: 720.340.2327

A Founding Member of Societas Eruditorum North America
Where Technology and Science Meet The Greater Good
https://www.eruditorum-na.net

On 06/01/2014 10:15 pm, Gregg Hendry wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I am not an employee or contractor for NWS - though as a retired 
> Federal
> Employee I can sympathize.
>
> I've seen lots of posts lately about perceived, or actual, lack of 
> support
> from local NWS Offices for the Skywarn program.  Though it is an 
> important
> component of NWS, Skywarn isn't critical; that is, Skywarn's budget 
> can
> easily be slashed without effect to the overall mission of NWS.
>
> When an NWS employee comes out to teach your group, they are on 
> official
> (duty) time.  The employee must also utilize a Government vehicle (or 
> be
> reimbursed for the use of their personal vehicle).  Both of these 
> obviously
> involve money.  Another problem, staffing shortages.  With hiring and 
> budget
> freezes, vacancies can remain unfilled for a year or more.  As a 
> former
> Federal Manager, I can tell you my priority was staffing the 
> operation and
> not public appearances.  This is part of why NWS is doing more 
> webinar-type
> training.
>
> Our local office (Charleston, WV) recently began in-person Skywarn 
> training
> after a nearly 3-year hiatus.  They still work with a limited budget, 
> so
> don't expect fancy certificates and the like.  As for getting spotter
> numbers, that is a decision made office to office.  Charleston used 
> to
> assign numbers but found it too cumbersome to keep such a database 
> current.
>
> So, this is the best advice I can give - take your training and 
> affiliate
> with a local ARES or emergency services organization.  Keep your 
> knowledge
> current and take more courses in weather and meteorology.  Find an
> experienced spotter or two and have them mentor you.  In other words, 
> make
> yourself a valuable asset.  Don't worry about cards, certificates and
> numbers - worry more about the quality of what you can provide.that 
> is what
> will save lives and property.
>
> Gregg Hendry, W8DUQ
> Barboursville, WV
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