NOAA/NWS Pacific Region Weather Service Offices Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, Ewa Beach, Oahu International Tsunami Information Center, Honolulu, HI Central Pacific Hurricane Center (collocated with WFO Honolulu) WFO Honolulu WFO Guam DCO Hilo, Lihue WSO Pago Pago, American Samoa Compact of Free Association Federated States of Micronesia WSO Chuuk WSO Pohnpei WSO Yap Republic of the Marshall Islands WSO Majuro Republic of Palau WSO Koror

Weather Forecast Office Guam 3NWS PR Info Brief

WFO GUAM’S AREA OF RESPOSIBILITY

5 Guam Summary Unique Mission Responsibility – Non-center providing tropical cyclone support – Largest area of coverage of any WFO – Multi-International Support One-of-a-kind outreach program Logistical End Point (personnel and equipment) Unique Opportunities with Diverse Responsibilities Demonstrated resourcefulness NWS PR Info Brief

6 Pacific Tsunami Warning Center

RIFT Forecast Japan Earthquake of

International Tsunami Information Center

ITIC – INTERNATIONAL IOC Mandate & Functions (1977) Monitor/Recommend Improvements to PTWS & other tsunami warning systems – PTWS covers 46 countries and 14 times zones – Communications, data networks, evaluations, dissemination Assist in establishing regional and national tsunami systems – Comprehensive risk reduction Serve as technology transfer resource; Encourage research to improve evaluations; Conduct trainings to build capacity (80 week-long trainings since 2005, 80% international) Serve as an information resource for preparedness/education – Develop, publish, distribute materials Serve as an information resource on historical tsunamis – Maintain database, post-event surveys 9NWS PR Info Brief

Pacific Islands Compact 10 WSO Pohnpei – Construction completed in Oct 2012 NWS PR Info Brief

Overview and History Provide weather support for former Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands (TTPI) UN Trusteeship 1947 US Governed TTPI in 1979 –Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) –Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) –Republic of Palau (ROP) Islands gain sovereignty, became “Freely Associated States (FAS)” in 1984 (RMI/FSM) and 1994 (ROP) under the Compact of Free Association (COFA) treaty Prior to FY04 funded through DOI Reimbursable Direct APPN since FY04 WSOs operated under contracts with 3 Governments 11NWS PR Info Brief

Overview and History Main difference is that NWS is unique in providing support through reimbursable contracts with the nations rather than grants or aid. This creates special challenges in procurement and payroll of each government as well as long lag times in getting invoicing for reimbursement. Our small staff in Guam and PRH have a variety of roles and US contract regulation (FAR) does not align well with the challenges of running a 24/7 operation in the FAS. Also, we are challenged when we have other appropriations line items that are closely related but not specific to COFA that support (indirectly and directly) our COFA operations. WSOs operated under contracts with 3 Governments 12NWS PR Info Brief

Communications Improving Ability to Disseminate Warnings Systems & Networks Expertise: Easy deployment & maintenance, reach the difficult to reach o EMWIN Upgrades Emergency Managers Weather Information Network (EMWIN) Transition to NOAA GOES-15 (West) at Pacific Island Met Service and Disaster Management Offices o RANET Remote Asia Pacific Information Dissemination Broadcast (RAPIDCast) – uses GE-23 satellite to reach the West Pacific o Chatty Beetle Early Alert Warning Text Message System, uses Irridium Short Burst Technology. More data now from remote atolls Text based alert & messaging device – provides a ‘heads-up’ CHATTY BEETLE

NOAA Daniel K. Inouye Regional Center

NOAA Pacific Regional Center – Ford Island ● Multi-phase project that includes restoration of historic facilities and new construction ● $331M project partially funded under the American Reinvestment & Recovery Act ● Provides 310,000 square feet of laboratory and offices for over 700 staff ● Consolidates and co-locates 12 NOAA offices on Oahu into one facility ● Marine science and storage facility and life support systems for marine life ● Port warehouse and pier facilities for NOAA vessels ● Environmentally Sound Design – LEED Gold Certification ● 24/7 Operation of Pacific Tsunami Warning Center ● Significant Exhibit Space for education and outreach

NOAA Finger Piers Port Warehouse (184) Marine Science and Storage (130) Main Facility (176, A, 175) Fisheries Cooperative Observer Facility (166) 2 NOAA Ship Piers 9 & 10

Benefits from the Inouye Regional Center Mission effectiveness Operational efficiency Cost avoidance Increased Collaboration Expanded Partnerships Historical Preservation Public Education and Outreach

Sustainable Design Features 30 Lowers carbon footprint with up to 40% less energy use Utilizes a hybrid passive ventilation system for cooling Maximizes use of natural lighting systems Incorporates photo voltaic and solar thermal energy Utilizes natural ventilation with constant fresh air supply Utilizes existing buildings material and sustainable products Incorporated rain water capture and gray water systems

Mahalo! Edward H. Young, Jr. Acting Regional Director NOAA National Weather Service Pacific Region QUESTIONS