Straight Talk:
Openness in Proposed Products, Services, and Dissemination Changes

Good effort for the Weather Enterprise -- We now have available online a database that tracks and gives details on changes we propose to make that could affect our partners and customers. We're an open organization and this makes good business sense.

The NWS Strategic Planning and Policy (SPP) database provides the public one-stop shopping for information on experimental products and changes to NWS products, services, and dissemination systems. The database identifies the service, describes the proposed change(s), lists the name of a person to contact for information, and lists the beginning and ending dates for the comment period.

This is another important step toward establishing productive interactions with our partners and customers before we decide on changes to how we do things. I encourage each of you to be familiar with the location of this database, and be familiar with our relevant policies, which are summarized here.

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Editors' Note: Clear Some Space on Your Bumper

Here's the deal. We're looking for a new corporate message that expresses the vision of the future National Weather Service. For several years we've used "Working Together to Save Lives." It's a timeless phrase and we'll continue to use it, but we'd also like a new slogan to coincide with release of the three Strategic Initiatives Tiger Team Plans at the end of this year. In other words, we'd like to kick off the new year with a new message.

So take out your future road map, put your creative caps on, and send us your best cut at a phrase or quotable line that you believe epitomizes what's good and right about the NWS of the future. And of course -- make sure this could fit on a bumper sticker.

A highly-qualified group of judges will narrow the entries down to a small handful and then we'll give you, the NWS workforce, a chance to vote on your favorite, and General Johnson will consider the voting results when he makes a final decision.

On your e-mail, use the subject line "Bumper Sticker Entry" and send your stroke of genius to NWS.Focus@noaa.gov no later than October 31.

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Strategic Initiatives 'Tiger Teams' Update NWS Corporate Board on Progress

The Tiger Teams addressing three NWS strategic initiatives (Concept of Operations, Aviation, and Information Technology) are feverishly working to outline NWS's path into the future.

In a video teleconference with the NWS Corporate Board on October 4, 2005, each team shared the status and next steps of their current strategic activities. Each team has identified and agreed to a Case for Change -- the compelling and dynamic reason to shift/change organizational priorities and direction. The teams all reported they anticipate meeting the December 16, 2005, deadline.

Brig. Gen. D.L. Johnson, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), NWS Director, said he was encouraged to hear that the teams are working through some differences of opinion relating to their initiatives, but he added that he "doesn't want dissenting views squelched in the process." He also asked the Tiger Team chairs to gauge which team members (with their bosses' support) would consider continuing lending their expertise and talents to implement the plans they produce.

The next check-in for the teams will be in mid-October with the NWS Director and the National Weather Service Employees Organization.

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Newly-Established Assistance Fund Helps NWS Employees in Gulf Areas

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, NWS employees across the nation wanted to support their counterparts in the Gulf States who experienced hardships caused by the storm. Many made financial donations through charities, some offered the use of their homes, and some volunteered for temporary duty assignments in support of the affected offices.

In a matter of days, the efforts of National Weather Service Employees Organization (NWSEO), NWS Southern Region, and the Federal Employee and Educational Assistance Fund (FEEA) established a fund for NWS employees. (Earlier this year, before Hurricane Katrina, the 2005 BLAST -- Building Leaders for a Solid Tomorrow -- class in Southern Region started a process to establish an NWS employee assistance program with FEEA.) The FEEA provided the outlet for employees to make financial contributions; NWSEO donated the first $5,000 for the fund; and NWS employees stepped in to add thousands more.

Affected employees submitted 50 applications for FEEA assistance. NWS Southern Region management certified that the applicants were NWS employees. Within 24 hours, the FEEA had checks to an NWSEO representative who hand-carried the checks to the National Data Buoy Center and the WFO/RFC in Slidell. The first 25 individuals received checks (grants that do not have to be repaid) in the amount of $1,000 each. This distribution was from donations to the FEEA National Weather Service Employee Organization Disaster Assistance fund. The remaining 25 individuals received $500 grants from the FEEA.

Work continues with the FEEA on establishing a permanent fund for future needs. Currently the FEEA is accepting donations for NWS employees working in the WFO Lake Charles office suffered losses due to Hurricane Rita. The FEEA is on the approved list to receive funds via the Combined Federal Campaign. You may wish to go to www.FEEA.org for more information.

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Manufacturers Sought for Next Generation of EMWIN Receivers

NOAA/NWS posted an announcement to Federal Business Opportunities on September 18, 2005, to identify vendors who are interested in manufacturing and marketing the next generation of Emergency Managers Weather Information Network (EMWIN) receiving equipment for public purchase.

The deadline for responses is October 18, 2005. The announcement is available at www.fedbizopps.gov/ (search for "EMWIN") or by following this direct link.

EMWIN allows users to obtain a live stream of weather forecasts, warnings, and other information directly from the NWS in almost real time. It is used primarily by emergency managers and public safety officials who need timely weather information to make critical decisions, often when other means of communication are unavailable. The EMWIN signal in its present form is broadcast by NOAA Geostationary Orbital Environmental Satellites (GOES), but the signal must undergo a change when the new generation of satellites is placed into service sometime on or before 2011. Existing EMWIN receiving systems must be adapted or replaced to make the transition to the new satellite broadcast.

"Although the new instruments may be slightly more expensive than the old ones, they will have a lot more capability," said Brig. Gen. D.L. Johnson, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), NWS Director. "We'll have more information for the workforce to help as we work with emergency managers to help them understand the ENWIN changes coming."

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Canyoneering Trip to Southern Utah Provides Insight on Flash Flood Potential

On August 14, 2005, a flash flood tore through the appropriately named Water Canyon in Zion National Park, forcing a tour guide and her group to scramble more than 20 feet up the canyon's walls as flood waters quickly ascended. This is the scenario that unfolds several times each year across Southern Utah. Since 1950, flooding is the number two rated thunderstorm killer in the Beehive State, having claimed 27 lives.

Staff from the Salt Lake City, UT, Weather Forecast Office recently took a guided tour through the canyon to assess the magnitude of the August flash flood and to gain a greater understanding of the daily flash flood threat outdoor enthusiasts in the canyon face. Brian McInerney, Senior Service Hydrologist and Kevin Barjenbruch, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, toured through the canyon, located just outside the boundary of Zion National Park, and gained insight into the flash flood potential of Southern Utah's extreme terrain and slot canyons.

The trip was just one of the elements of a proactive approach WFO Salt Lake City has taken toward mitigating loss of life and property from flash flooding. Each spring, trips are made to several national parks and monuments to provide weather spotter training and to educate the staff on weather information sources and safety. The WFO issues graphical and text versions of a Flash Flood Potential Rating product, designed to bridge the gap between outlook products and flash flood watches/warnings. Additionally, a Flash Flood Safety brochure addressing flash flooding in slot canyons was created and distributed this summer.

Golf Outing Raises Safety Awareness and Proceeds for Disaster Relief

The Northern Indiana Weather Forecast Office (WFO) recently turned their annual social golf outing with neighboring offices and guests into an outreach and fundraising event. The NWS Lower Great Lakes Golf Scramble Promoting Safety Preparedness was held on September 19th at Walnut Creek Golf Complex near Marion, IN. This event was moved to September this year to coincide with National Safety Preparedness Month and to help educate the general public about disaster preparedness.

The WFO Northern Indiana Public Outreach Support Team (POST) helped with promotion and organization activities related to the event. Senior Meteorologist and event organizer, Sam Lashley, and POST leader and Administrative Services Assistant Margaret Taylor decided to donate all proceeds from the golf scramble to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund after hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast region.

Twenty-two golfers representing four different NWS offices, emergency management and law enforcement participated in this event. The owner of the local golf course, Randy Ballinger, was impressed by the public service message and gave all golfers a discounted rate. In addition, Ballinger donated $200 to the hurricane relief fund, bringing the total proceeds to $443.

WFO Northern Indiana used the NWS Central Region Headquarters poster printer to create nearly 20 signs with safety preparedness tips and information. These signs were placed around the golf course to remind everyone of important safety tips and procedures to follow in order to be better prepared for disasters. With the devastation from hurricane Katrina on everyone's minds, the preparedness messages were well accepted. A thunderstorm at the golf course before the event began allowed staff from WFO Northern Indiana an opportunity to praise several local golfers for leaving the course before the thunderstorm arrived.

WFO Northern Indiana plans to host this event again next September in conjunction with National Preparedness Month. Grant County Indiana Emergency Manager Bruce Bender said at the conclusion of the outing, "I hope you will do this event again next year. I think we can generate a lot more interest and get more people out here to play and learn."

For results of this golf scramble and more information on all NWS related golf outings, visit http://users.hoosierlink.net/slashley/nwsgolf/.

Employee Milestones

• Click here to see NEW APPOINTMENTS/TRANSFERS to NWS through September 30, 2005.
• Click here to see RETIREMENTS/DEPARTURES from NWS through September 30, 2005.

Snapshots

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