Information Dissemination Technologies and Architecture: Meeting the Growing Needs of Decision-Makers and the Public for Critical Weather Information Mr. Samuel P. Williamson Federal Coordinator for Meteorology Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research Mr. Samuel P. Williamson Federal Coordinator for Meteorology Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research National Hurricane Conference Training Session April 6, 2004

Training Session Overview Why are we here? – Critical Weather Information Impacts – Training Session Purpose – Training Session Expected Outcomes Logistic – Questionnaire and Information Dissemination Technology (IDT) Listing Training Session Panels Summary Why are we here? – Critical Weather Information Impacts – Training Session Purpose – Training Session Expected Outcomes Logistic – Questionnaire and Information Dissemination Technology (IDT) Listing Training Session Panels Summary

Critical Weather Information Impacts Discuss getting natural hazard warnings (e.g., hurricane warnings) to the public and emergency management Watch/Warning message must be clear and consistent So it’s relevant to the target community Criteria may must be clearly understood Facilitate understanding and promote a safe response Key point the message must get to the public Capitalize on state-of-the-art information dissemination technologies, like NOAA Weather Radio and Reverse 911 Partner with state/local governments and the private sector to fill information voids Note…it has been reported that the greatest average yearly threat is posed by floods and flash floods

Warnings issued by the NWS reach the public through a variety of methods For warnings to reach the public quickly and accurately requires cooperation Success also hinges on the ability of the public to respond In summary, each step of the watch/warning process must function efficiently Critical Weather Information Impacts

1890, the Weather Bureau was created…hurricane of 1875 destroying Indianola,TX, without much warning was a contributing factor 1900, the Galveston hurricane killed 6,000 people--greatest natural disaster in United States history…no formal hurricane warning issued 1920's, several hurricanes hit with little or no warning 1926, a very strong hurricane brought great devastation to southeast Florida causing more than 200 deaths. The warnings for that storm were issued at night when most residents were asleep and unaware of the rapidly approaching hurricane 1928, another severe hurricane hit south Florida and killed an estimated 1,800 people who drowned when Lake Okeechobee overflowed Critical Weather Information Impacts

1933, the largest number of tropical storms (21) developed…two were hurricanes that affected the east coast of the United States, including Washington, and were badly forecast and warned 1999, Hurricane Floyd…over 20 inches in some areas of North Carolina…fifty-one people died, and overall damage exceeded six billion dollars…in spite of ample warning of Floyd's approach, most residents inland had virtually no warning of the floods that engulfed them, leaving many to rescue themselves in the middle of the night 2004, a Baltimore area water taxi capsized due to sudden high winds in the Inner Harbor area of Baltimore, Maryland, near Fort McHenry, killing five person…investigation continues into warning support surrounding this incident Critical Weather Information Impacts

While we are here at the NHC today to concentrate on the IDTs needed to get warnings out in a timely manner, we must not lose sight of the fact there are other issues, like social response, we will have to tackle also. Such as… It was reported that after being warned of the tornado that struck Arkadelphia, AR, 20 minutes later, an individual did the once- unthinkable act: she traveled into its path to retrieve her sister There are also increasing numbers of people putting themselves in harm's way by chasing tornadoes with video cameras or by watching and waiting too long after being warned at home A large fraction of the total deaths in the Wichita Falls, TX tornadoes of 1979 and Huntsville, AL in 1994 were people that were caught in their cars during rush hour trying to get home ahead of the tornado Critical Weather Information Impacts

Training Session Purpose Examine: Current and future IDT policy Available information dissemination technologies and architectures Acquire feedback: How does the emergency management community view current and planned IDT resources Are there any unmet IDT needs?

Training Session Overall Outcomes Enhance knowledge of Federal policies and guidelines Look at how policies and guidelines are implemented Update on resources (programs, tools, etc.) available Stimulate feedback !!

Training Session Logistics NHC Questionnaire -- Natural Hazard Warning User Need feedback Existing IDT to receive warnings Time and place limitations Start to build an assessment of existing warning systems IDT listing shows the kinds of existing technologies we are aware of today

Training Session Panel Structure Two panels to help focus our information flow and feedback Panel I: Federal natural-hazards information dissemination policies, procedures, and technologies for decision-makers Panel II: An assessment of natural-hazards Information Dissemination Technologies and architecture for meeting the demands of public safety

Information Dissemination Technologies and Architecture: Meeting the Growing Needs of Decision-Makers and the Public for Critical Weather Information Panel I Federal natural-hazards information dissemination policies, procedures, and technologies for decision- makers Moderator: Lt. Col. Frank Estis Panel I Federal natural-hazards information dissemination policies, procedures, and technologies for decision- makers Moderator: Lt. Col. Frank Estis National Hurricane Conference Training Session April 6, 2004

Panel I Objectives Review Federal natural-hazards warning dissemination policy Describe current IDT systems used to get the word out Provide information on current communication techniques/technologies Solicit feedback on current IDT policies and procedures

Panel I Expected Outcomes Gain increased understanding of existing Federal policies and guidelines Gain increased knowledge of current IDT procedures Obtain feedback on gaps and needed improvements in current or anticipated IDT policies, procedures, and resources

Panel I Members Mr. Richard S. Eligan, Jr., Deputy Director, Office of National Security Coordination, Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Administration Mr. Herbert L. White, National Weather Service, Dissemination Services Manager Mr. Kenneth B. Allen, Executive Director, Partnership for Public Warning Mr. James Wright, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, 511 Program Manager

Panel I Presentations

Training Session Logistics It’s time for a break Reminder…please fill out and turn in the NHC Questionnaire -- Natural Hazard Warning User We need your feedback! Please be back at 3:30 pm for Panel II

Information Dissemination Technologies and Architecture: Meeting the Growing Needs of Decision-Makers and the Public for Critical Weather Information Training Session Part 2 Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research Training Session Part 2 Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research National Hurricane Conference Training Session April 6, 2004

Training Session Purpose Examine: Current and future IDT policy Available information dissemination technologies and architectures Acquire feedback: How does the emergency management community view current and planned IDT resources Are there any unmet IDT needs?

Training Session Overall Outcomes Enhance knowledge of Federal policies and guidelines Look at how policies and guidelines are implemented Update on resources (programs, tools, etc.) available Stimulate feedback !!

Information Dissemination Technologies and Architecture: Meeting the Growing Needs of Decision-Makers and the Public for Critical Weather Information Panel II An assessment of natural-hazards Information Dissemination Technologies and architecture for meeting the demands of public safety Moderator: Ms. Mary M. Cairns--OFCM Staff Panel II An assessment of natural-hazards Information Dissemination Technologies and architecture for meeting the demands of public safety Moderator: Ms. Mary M. Cairns--OFCM Staff National Hurricane Conference Training Session April 6, 2004

Panel II Objectives Raise your awareness  New, improved, or emerging technology and tools  Dissemination of critical all-hazards information  Focused on hurricanes and inland flooding Elicit your feedback  What is your assessment of existing and planned technology and tools?  What are your needs? Reminder…fill out and turn in the NHC Questionnaire -- Natural Hazard Warning User

Panel II Expected Outcomes Increase your awareness of current & future IDT Exchange information from panel members to/from the audience Elicit users’ evaluation of natural-hazards IDT

Panel II Members Dr. Steve Lyons, The Weather Channel Chief Terry Tullier, Director, New Orleans Office of Emergency Preparedness Mr. Robert D. Bunge, National Weather Service, Office of the Chief Information Officer

Panel II Presentations

Information Dissemination Technologies and Architecture: Meeting the Growing Needs of Decision-Makers and the Public for Critical Weather Information Training Session Summary Mr. Samuel P. Williamson Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research Training Session Summary Mr. Samuel P. Williamson Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research National Hurricane Conference Training Session April 6, 2004

Training Session Summary Our purpose today was: Examine: Current and future IDT policy Available information dissemination technologies and architectures Acquire feedback: How does the emergency management community view current and planned IDT resources Are there any unmet IDT needs?

IDT -- The Road Ahead Much work still remains to be done--first priorities: Round out the IDT data gathered from your comments and questionnaires Begin work on an assessment to identify and specify the gaps in coverage of IDT user needs We will you a summary highlighting the key points from the session Thank you for your inputs and feedback…they were very much appreciated!