[Skywarn] Skywarn "shortcomings"

Mon Jun 2 19:23:31 EDT 2014

Skywarn like many things is all "local"... There are many good groups and
then again there are the others.

The big issues I have with Skywarn are, ego and purpose. If anyone here
thinks they know it all or is an expert when its comes to storms or
emergency/disaster response is plainly fooling himself and " Son, your ego
is writing checks your body can't cash".

Don't get me wrong, there are very knowledgeable people, very experienced,
but experts? No way.."Some" of the experienced guy's need to learn to be
teachers not kings, while there are a great deal of older spotters who are
excellent teachers. You just have to search them out.

The second issue is purpose. Why are you a spotter? Save lives? Believing
your own bull, eh? Chaser? For who? Media outlets? NWS? You supporting your
WCM that includes reporting properly? Learning the science? You know why
tornadoes do the things they do? Or are you doing it because you get a kick
out of watching mother nature destroy things?

I don't mean to be a smarty pants but many spotters and chaser have lost
control and purpose.

By the way, Rick Shanklin out of Paducah WFO has a very good safety program
coming up. I recommend everyone sign up for it...

"Secondly please be aware that we will be having a "Mobile Spotter
Training" Webinar this Thursday June 5 at 6:30 PM. For details see
http://ow.ly/xwjIy "

Lastly, call your WCM and talk to him about the issues you have. That's the
only way you can begin the change the process if you have a issue. If you
don't have a Skywarn group in your area call your WCM and start one...

But remember, Skywarn is subservient to NWS they are our bosses....

Be safe out there!
Jay
On Jun 2, 2014 8:00 AM, "Bradly L. McGarr" <brad at mcgarr.us> wrote:

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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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