Innovative Communication Utilizing Multimedia Weather Briefings DEREK R. DEROCHE NOAA / NWS, Weather Forecast Office, Pleasant Hill, Missouri SCOTT F. BLAIR NOAA / NWS, Weather Forecast Office, Topeka, Kansas ANDY J. BAILEY NOAA / NWS, Weather Forecast Office, Pleasant Hill, Missouri

What is a Multimedia Briefing? A short recorded video which incorporates graphics, audio, and text information Enables forecasters to explain the “why” of the upcoming situation as well as forecast concerns, confidence, uncertainty. Not only a data provider but a data interpreter

Purpose and Benefits Utilize new and existing technology to disseminate our message. Provides a means of easily gathering relevant information in different ways (visual, auditory, etc). One-stop overview of the most important weather information Can be used as a supplement to normal conference calls or GoTo Meeting briefings Available at the listener’s convenience

Initial Concept “Nice job with the easy to understand graphics. Appreciate the attempt to provide timing of the developing system as well as defining what will be the major threats. Blogged about this product – it’s quite informative and very cool.” First implemented by WFOs Medford, OR and San Angelo, TX

Target Audience Emergency Managers / Spotters / First Responders Groups/businesses responsible for patron or public safety Anyone making plans affected by weather (personal / business) Teachers/students/media…a wide-ranging audience!

Included in a Briefing Final decision is up to the shift – What’s most important? Upcoming significant weather… what / when / where…the big picture A bit of the why…in layman’s terms Where the forecast could change Safety reminders

Creating A Briefing Create graphics from FXC, GIS or use existing web graphics (SPC, HPC, etc.) Import graphics into a web browser, Powerpoint, Articulate…just a few slides Record Audio using Camtasia, Articulate, etc. Send it to the web

Example Briefing

Multimedia Briefing Survey Compilation WFOs: Kansas City, San Angelo, Birmingham, Houston, Lake Charles On a scale of 0 to 10 (10 highest), rate technical quality of this product/service (e.g., forecast accuracy, timeliness, problems with display). (748 responses)

Multimedia Briefing Survey Compilation WFOs: Kansas City, San Angelo, Birmingham, Houston, Lake Charles On a scale of 0 to 10 (10 highest), rate how easy you found the product/service to interpret and use. (747 responses)

Multimedia Briefing Survey Compilation WFOs: Kansas City, San Angelo, Birmingham, Houston, Lake Charles How often do you use this product/service? (748 responses)

Multimedia Briefing Survey Compilation WFOs: Kansas City, San Angelo, Birmingham, Houston, Lake Charles Do you feel it is appropriate for NWS to provide this product/service? (748 responses)

Multimedia Briefing Survey Compilation WFOs: Kansas City, San Angelo, Birmingham, Houston, Lake Charles What is your affiliation? (748 responses)

Comments/Responses - The web briefing has been extremely beneficial to multiple entities within Douglas County. Keep up the good work!!! Teri Smith Director Douglas County Emergency Management - I’d like to congratulate everyone who put this together and did the narration – very well done! Very useful for amateurs like myself. Mary Rack Professor, Mathematics, JCCC - I can say that this will work very well for our needs as it tells us the latest information that you have available and can be updated and reviewed as we have time. I like this format! Mike Irwin Assistant Chief Lee's Summit Missouri Fire Dept. - I found the information very informative. I sent the information to several schools that are planning weekend actives. Thanks great tool. Charles (Chuck) Magaha Coordinator Leavenworth County Emergency Management - The web briefing has been extremely beneficial to multiple entities within Douglas County. Keep up the good work!!! Teri Smith Director Douglas County Emergency Management - I’d like to congratulate everyone who put this together and did the narration – very well done! Very useful for amateurs like myself. Mary Rack Professor, Mathematics, JCCC - I can say that this will work very well for our needs as it tells us the latest information that you have available and can be updated and reviewed as we have time. I like this format! Mike Irwin Assistant Chief Lee's Summit Missouri Fire Dept. - I found the information very informative. I sent the information to several schools that are planning weekend actives. Thanks great tool. Charles (Chuck) Magaha Coordinator Leavenworth County Emergency Management

Integrating Into Your Office Time and patience! A team approach…involving staff Early experimental briefings done by team or small group Share feedback from customers with staff In-house training/practice with short briefings Eventually becomes a shift duty Safety Seagull says Teamwork is Important

Future Plans Incorporate dissemination through other means…podcasts, vodcasts, cell phone/PDA capabilities Special topic presentations (drought outlook, climate outlook, etc) Video Nowcasts Partnership with Youtube

Thank You Special Thanks to: Patrick Mccullough (WFO SJT) Amy Mccullough (WFO SJT) Scott Overpeck (WFO HGX) Jonathan Brazzell (WFO LCH)