National Weather
Service Training Center (NWSTC)
Director: Donna Layton
 As an integral component of mission support, the NWSTC,
in Kansas City , MO , provides training to NOAA/NWS employees in the
areas of management, meteorology, hydrology, equipment maintenance, systems
support, and related activities. The NWSTC
Leadership Academy offers leadership training to all federal agencies.
NWSTC staff develop and deliver courses in a number of formats including
residence classes and workshops, web-based and computer-based self-study
tutorials, teletraining (interactive web delivery), and work aides. In
addition, NWSTC staff provides consulting services, research and development,
technical and operational documentation assistance, and system deployment
support.
NWSTC's goal is to teach job-specific and practical skills; integrate systems
so the whole, instead of individual parts of the problem can be recognized;
emulate the NWS working field environment; and provide students the ability
to work and experiment with concepts or equipment as part of learning.
Warning
Decision Training Branch (WDTB)
Director: Ed Mahoney
 WDTB,
in Norman , OK , develops and delivers training on the integrated elements
of the warning process within a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA)/National Weather Service (NWS) forecast office. WDTB instructors
develop and deliver a variety training content to meet this mission.
Our goal is to increase expertise among NOAA/NWS personnel so that they
can better serve the public during warning operations.
Training is principally
provided by distance learning methods (teletraining using VISITView ,
Internet, and computer-based modules on CD-ROM), as well as a WSR-88D
Distance Learning Operations Course for new NWS forecasters. WDTB also
specializes in providing “train-the-trainer” training, which provides
Science and Operations Officers (SOOs), Focal Points, and Forecasters
the latest information on new warning technology and science while refining
existing skills and fostering scientific discussions of warning issues
faced in a forecast office environment. WDTB develops and delivers training
materials for the data integration environment brought about by AWIPS
with emphasis on the use of radar data in conjunction with other remote
sensor data.
Forecast
Decision Training Branch (FDTB)
Director: Anthony Mostek
 The
FDTB, located in Boulder, CO, provides training and education to operational
NOAA staff in areas related to hydrometeorological operational forecasting.
The staff works closely with the Office of Atmospheric Research (OAR) Earth
Science Research Laboratory, the Virtual
Institute for Satellite Integration Training (VISIT) program and with
the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) Cooperative
Program for Operational Meteorology, Education, and Training (COMET).
The Branch offers the complete spectrum of scientific education for operational
hydrometeorological forecasters. To accomplish this goal, FDTB develops instruction
primarily using distance learning approaches complimented by in-residence
training.
FDTB works to address forecast issues in close collaboration with NWSTC. Training
is principally provided by distance learning methods (teletraining using VISITView,
computer-based modules available via Internet and Learning Management Systems), plus
occasional in-residence workshops . These learning and training approaches provide
Science and Operations Officers (SOOs), Focal Points, and Forecasters the latest
information on forecast technology, digital services and science. Existing skills
are enhanced and new skills are developed by fostering discussions and interactions
on issues faced in an evolving digital forecast office environment.
Topics include quantitative precipitation forecasting, integrated remote sensing,
mesoscale and micro scale phenomena, aviation and fire weather forecasting, climate
prediction, hydrology, societal impacts, and emergency management.
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