Straight Talk:
Operations and Services Improvement Process

On January 22, I signed NWS Policy Directive 10-1 establishing the Operations and Services Improvement Process (OSIP) as the corporate NWS requirements-based management process for improving our operations and services. I want to take this opportunity to share with you actions I am taking to address common concerns I and our new Chief Financial Officer, Bob Byrd, heard during our visits to several offices over the last several months regarding OSIP:

• Length of response time
• Level of effort required to produce the necessary documentation
• Lack of funding overall and specifically to implement the highest priorities
• Number of projects in the process
• Concern that OSIP will stifle innovation

Before signing the Directive, I made sure that the OSIP team followed up on concerns in cases where specific examples were identified. I've also directed them to continue to look for opportunities to improve. The Team recently made a number of improvements (several based on a recent survey of all Regional Headquarters) to:

• shorten the time "small enhancement" projects stay in OSIP
• implement a new prioritization scheme to help direct resources to our highest priorities
• review languishing projects, to ensure amount of documentation is commensurate with project size
• convene more virtual Gate meetings to reduce time commitments
• continue to improve the OSIP Web site starting with providing the status of ongoing improvement actions and adding a suggestion box

I encourage all of you to visit the OSIP website, https://osip.nws.noaa.gov (requires your e-mail name and password), as a starting point for any additional concerns. There is a feedback box on the left side. Please note that the web site also offers a list of OSIP representatives by Office, Region, and NCEP.

Innovation is one of NWS's core values and OSIP offers an opportunity to foster the coordination and discipline necessary to implement ideas nationally. I believe firmly that a requirements-based management process, such as OSIP, is necessary to ensure the NWS is as efficient as possible in developing and deploying innovative ideas as a team. Working together we can ensure our resources are applied towards those great ideas, which are prioritized based on strategic and operational importance rather than... into a black hole. OSIP is a work in progress. It is designed to be flexible and we will continue to improve the process. But, we need everyone to help make it work. Thanks for the feedback and for pointing to where we can do better.

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Rep. Boustany Praises Lake Charles Office for Hurricane Rita Performance

On December 5, Congressman Charles Boustany, Jr., took the floor of the House of Representatives to praise the performance of the Lake Charles, LA, Weather Forecast Office (WFO) before, during, and after Hurricane Rita. "While Rita destroyed critical infrastructure and forever changed the landscape of Southwest Louisiana," said Boustany, "WFO Lake Charles lived up to the motto of the National Weather Service by 'Working Together to Save Lives.'"

Read the complete text of the speech by following this link.

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North Dakota Signal Corps Station Comes Back to Life

OPL Len Peterson, far right holding Radiosonde, discusses the upper air program with a crowd gathered to celebrate Weather Day at Camp Hancock State Historic Site in Bismarck. The Camp Hancock building, the oldest building in Bismarck, served as camp headquarters (yellow building back left).

On September 9, 2006, Weather Forecast Office (WFO) Bismarck, ND, staff assisted the State Historical Society of North Dakota in turning back the clock some 132 years, to September 9, 1874. It was on that date that Sergeant James H. Smith of the Army Signal Corps arrived in Bismarck by train to begin recording Bismarck's weather. The first observation was taken on September 10, 1874, near Camp Hancock in Bismarck, Army Signal Corps station 104.

Weather Day at Camp Hancock State Historic Site in Bismarck was held on Saturday, September 9, 2006. Warning Coordination Meteorologist (WCM) John Paul Martin gave a presentation on the history of weather and forecasting, NOAA's National Weather Service, and Camp Hancock as an official observation site. Observation Program Leader (OPL) Len Peterson detailed the upper air program and gave a weather balloon demonstration, tracking a released balloon with a theodolite.

Attendees had the opportunity to make a rain gauge, build a wind vane, and identify clouds. Weather safety brochures were also handed out. Actors were dressed in period clothing, including 17th Infantry Regiment re-enactors. Seth Mulder & The Goose River Boys performed bluegrass and country music selections.

Camp Hancock itself served as the official observation site and weather office in Bismarck for about 50 years, from 1887 to 1891 and from 1894 to 1940.

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More Data Available Through Expanded NOAA, Weatherbug Partnership

On December 21, leaders from NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS) and AWS Convergence Technologies, Inc. (AWS) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) designed to better incorporate data from AWS's WeatherBug, a nationwide, real-time weather sensor network, into NWS operations. The MOU was signed by Robert Marshall, President and Chief Executive Officer of AWS, and Brigadier General D.L. Johnson, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), NOAA Assistant Administrator for Weather Services and Director, NWS.

The AWS WeatherBug Network includes more than 7,000 WeatherBug stations taking basic weather observations across the United States. Tracking stations are placed largely on school grounds and the exclusive network provides live data to subscribers and other entities, such as television broadcasters and schools. AWS data is available for limited NWS use from MADIS (Meteorological Assimilation Data Ingest System) at NOAA's Forecast Systems Laboratory. The MOU between NWS and AWS opens up opportunities for research and makes the data more accessible to NWS forecast offices.

"This ground breaking partnership should be a model for how corporations and the government can work together to protect lives and property. It is truly gratifying to know that our WeatherBug data will be used extensively by experts across the NOAA/NWS to improve weather forecasting, emergency response operations and to issue timely severe weather warnings," said Marshall.

The MOU is an excellent example of the public and private sectors working together for the good of the American people. "Data is the fuel that feeds all the services NWS provides," said Johnson. "Accordingly, we are looking forward to working with AWS on joint research programs employing their data to improve products and services."

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New NWR Station is Perfect Timing for Departments of Homeland Security, Education, and NOAA Initiative

NWS officials were on hand November 20 to dedicate NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) Station WNG-541, located in Frewsburg, NY, providing radio coverage to Chautauqua County in southwestern New York State.

Recently, the Departments of Education, Commerce, and Homeland Security joined together to distribute NWR receivers to all public schools in the Nation.

Left to right, Joseph Gerace, Chautauqua County Sheriff; Julius Leone, Director-Chautauqua County Emergency Services; Andy Ippolito, Erie 2 Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES; Tom Niziol, Meteorologist-in-Charge NWS Buffalo; and Judith Levan, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, NWS Buffalo, gathered for the recent NWR transmitter dedication in Frewsburg, NY.

Andy Ippolito, Director of the Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), indicated that the recent initiative to place NOAA weather radios in all public schools is progressing along very well. The addition of the new Frewsburg site was praised for providing schools in the area with NWR alerts.

The radio broadcasts were possible thanks to a partnership with Chautauqua County. Thomas Niziol, Meteorologist-in-Charge of the Buffalo forecast office said "Together these partners now help us bring the National Weather Service's vital information to people in this area."

"People can now have weather information available at their fingertips any time in the western southern area of New York, including marine forecasts for Lake Erie," Niziol said. "The Frewsburg transmitter significantly increases the National Weather Service's ability to reach the western southern tier of New York with weather warnings and forecasts."

Along with NWS representatives, the dedication was attended by the Chautauqua County Emergency Manager, Sheriff's Office, and BOCES for Western New York State.

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Cheyenne Employees Earn Kudos for Blizzard Performance, One the Old Fashioned Way

Like NWS employees at many locations in central states and the High Plains, the staff at Weather Forecast Office (WFO) Cheyenne, WY, earned high praise from MIC John Eise for their efforts during the pre-Christmas 2006 blizzard. Eise saved his best compliments for a staffer who regressed to some really old fashioned ways of doing business.

WFO Cheyenne, WY, HydroMet Tech Dan Deal demonstrates proper attire for a snow shoe trek - his only way to get to work during the pre-Christmas 2006 blizzard.

Eise handed out well-deserved compliments to employees for issuing a Blizzard Warning 24 hours in advance; providing customer service to emergency managers and Wyoming Homeland Security before and during the storm; answering questions posed by local government officials, media and the public; doing media interviews; handling phone calls and keeping equipment in operational order.

In a note to Central Region Director Lynn Maximuk, Eise said: "The 'Dedication to Service Award' must go to Hydrometeorological Technician Dan Deal, who snow-shoed more than a mile from his house to the office, and made it to his shift on time Thursday morning."

Eise said he couldn't get over Deal's dedication and determination to get to work. "I've seen people that determined to get home when blizzards started," Eise said, "but putting out that kind of effort to get to the office so stranded people could have some relief says a lot about Dan and the relationships among employees in this office."

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Update on Workforce Human Capital Committee Activities

The NWS Corporate Board's Workforce Human Capital Committee (WHCC) completed another successful year of addressing human capital issues within the NWS. A visit to the NWS Best Practices web site (https://bestpractices.nws.noaa.gov) can point you in the direction of a wealth of information that reflects the work of the committee over the past few years.

• Under the "What's New" link, you can find a summary of accomplishments for FY06 Annual Operating Plan (AOP) of the Human Capital Strategic Plan, as well as the AOP for FY 07.

• The Awards link provides extensive and recently updated information regarding awards.

• On the best practices link, you can find job selection guidelines and exit interview questions. Data from the exit interviews are analyzed periodically to determine any trends which the WHCC may want to act on. Soon, the exit interview for employees moving from one NWS office to another will become an on-line interview as well.

• Under the Services link, you can find information regarding the Hardship Transfer Consideration policy.

• The best practices site itself is another key accomplishment of the committee. It contains more information than just WHCC accomplishments.

So, please take a moment, to peruse the various links on Best Practices web site for information that may be of value to you, and become aware of Workforce Human Capital Committee accomplishments as well as issues that will be addressed in FY 07.

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Obituaries

Obituary: Gregg Rishel

Gregg Rishel, Hydrologist-in-Charge of the Northeast River Forecast Center died on September 28, 2006, after battling cancer for several months. He was 52 years old.

Gregg's NWS career began in 1985 as the service hydrologist in Bismarck, ND. Following that, Gregg worked as a forecaster at the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center in Harrisburg and State College, PA, the Weather Forecast Office in State College, and finally in NWS Western Region Headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT, as the Deputy Regional Hydrologist. In 2003, he was named Hydrologist-in-Charge of the Northeast River Forecast Center, in Taunton, MA.

Greg had a B.S degree in Biology and a M.S. in Forest Hydrology from Pennsylvania State University and a M.A. in Organizational Management from University of Phoenix.

Gregg served on a number of national teams during his tenure, most importantly, as the team leader for the Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS) Product Improvement Team (APIT) which presented its final report in 2003. Greg greatly expanded AHPS forecasts services and provided outstanding leadership during several significant flood events, particularly during the past 12 months. He worked tirelessly on facilities issues, as well as helping to establish the office environmental, safety and health program.

In addition to his work with the NWS, Gregg also served as the instructor for U.S. Department of Agriculture correspondence classes, Hydrology I and II, for the past 8 years. Gregg leaves behind his wife, Roberta, and daughter, Hannah, a senior in high school.

Obituary: Greg Tipton

Wilmington, OH, Lead Forecaster Greg Tipton passed away on January 6 from a heart attack. Greg was only 38 years old. After returning from a jog he went upstairs to take a shower. Fifteen minutes later his wife Jean found him. He is survived by Jean and their two sons Galen (13) and Nathan (10).

Greg graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 1990. He actually joined the NWS before graduation and worked for MDL as a student trainee between 1989 and 1991. In March of 1991, Greg became a Meteorologist Intern at the Dayton Weather Service Office. During this time, he rapidly became involved in community outreach programs and lead the office in giving presentations. This, combined with his high energy level and strong interest in severe weather, landed him a promotion as a journey forecaster at the Minneapolis Weather Forecast Office (WFO) in June of 1994. While at Minneapolis he became the office radar focal point. During his tenure, he received several awards and a bronze medal for his accomplishments in working severe weather events. In May of 1998, he became a lead forecaster at WFO Wilmington, OH.

"Greg was an outstanding employee with a positive attitude and someone who cared greatly about his customers and the people he worked with," said Ken Haydu, Meteorologist-in-Charge of the Wilmington office. "He constantly sought ways to get more involved with customers to understand their needs. As a lead forecaster he enjoyed mentoring, coaching, and recognizing co-workers for a job well done. Greg will be sorely missed and the void that he leaves will remain for a long time."

A scholarship fund has been established for Greg's sons through Wright Patterson Credit Union. Donations to the fund can be made by sending checks to WPCU, 161 Carrie Drive, Wilmington, OH 45177-1994. Checks should be made payable to WPCU with "Tipton Scholarship Fund" in the memo line.

The obituary notice from the Wilmington local newspaper is available here.

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Employee Milestones

• Click here to see NEW APPOINTMENTS/TRANSFERS to NWS through December 31, 2006.
• Click here to see RETIREMENTS/DEPARTURES from NWS through December 31, 2006.
• Click here to see NWS EMPLOYEES ACCOMPLISHMENTS through December 31, 2006.

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Snapshots

Click here for a look at photos we've received from around the NWS.