Lightning Awareness Brigadier General John J. Kelly, Jr., United States Air Force (Ret.) Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere NOAA Deputy Administrator Brigadier General John J. Kelly, Jr., United States Air Force (Ret.) Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere NOAA Deputy Administrator

2 NOAA Where Science Gains Value National Lightning Safety Awareness Team National Lightning Safety Awareness Week NOAA Weather Radio StormReady National Lightning Safety Awareness Team National Lightning Safety Awareness Week NOAA Weather Radio StormReady

3 National Lightning Safety Awareness Team

4 Won National Lightning Safety Institute’s 2003 U.S. Government Service Award Common outreach materials developed by LSA Fact SheetsTeacher’s Aids—Coloring Books Public Service Announcements Posters

5 National Lightning Safety Awareness Week 200+ local and national media interviews NOAA and partners produce and distribute 30,000 safety magnets Distributed 30,000 Lightning Kills– Play it Safe Posters 200+ local and national media interviews NOAA and partners produce and distribute 30,000 safety magnets Distributed 30,000 Lightning Kills– Play it Safe Posters

6 National Lightning Safety Awareness Website

7 NOAA Weather Radio NWR reaches 97% of US population June 17 – signed MOA with DHS d DHS broadcasts other warnings NWR reaches 97% of US population June 17 – signed MOA with DHS d DHS broadcasts other warnings

8 StormReady Provides skills and education to survive severe weather events Began in Tulsa 1999 Must meet criteria d Conduct Exercises d 24 hour Emergency Center d Multiple dissemination systems d Monitor local conditions d Conduct Seminars d Have a plan 735 StormReady in 47 states Provides skills and education to survive severe weather events Began in Tulsa 1999 Must meet criteria d Conduct Exercises d 24 hour Emergency Center d Multiple dissemination systems d Monitor local conditions d Conduct Seminars d Have a plan 735 StormReady in 47 states

9 Adding Value to Science NOAA continuing long legacy... “Greatest thing: do well for my fellow man…”

10 Lightning Reports circa 1750 Bell ringers rang church bell to ward off lightning In Germany alone during the mid 1700s, in a 35 year period 386 churches were struck and more than 100 bell ringers were killed! Bell ringers rang church bell to ward off lightning In Germany alone during the mid 1700s, in a 35 year period 386 churches were struck and more than 100 bell ringers were killed!

11 Ben Franklin Acts June 1752 – Franklin performed his kite experiment Proved lightning was electricity and was drawn to points Lightning rods began appearing in Europe and America June 1752 – Franklin performed his kite experiment Proved lightning was electricity and was drawn to points Lightning rods began appearing in Europe and America Standard lightning rod—blunt tip

12 Franklin Rings the Bell Safe method of detecting imminent lightning Today we are the bell ringers Safe method of detecting imminent lightning Today we are the bell ringers

13 Partnership Perfect Balance d NOAA disseminates information and scientific data d You tell your stories Together we do well by doing good Perfect Balance d NOAA disseminates information and scientific data d You tell your stories Together we do well by doing good