Coordinated Safety Messaging: An Integrated Approach. Matt Moreland FLGHC: Effective Messaging and Decision Support Services May 16, 2017

Transcription

1 Coordinated Safety Messaging: An Integrated Approach Matt Moreland FLGHC: Effective Messaging and Decision Support Services May 16, 2017

2 Question According to most meteorologists, how long should a weather briefing be? A. 1 minute B. 2-3 minutes C minutes D minutes

3 Question According to most emergency managers, how long should a weather briefing be? A. 1 minute B. 2-3 minutes C minutes D minutes

4 The Meteorologist s Brain The model data comes in at 20Z It takes me another hour to assess and come up with the forecast I need another hour to create the proper graphics So I can have that briefing ready for you at 22Z in a GoToMeeting Webinar

5 The Emergency Manager s Brain We need to figure out what the threats are ASAP We need trucks on the road 5 hours before the onset of these conditions I need to give my planning folks 12 hours heads-up on needed supplies What was the password to that weather briefing again?

6 Benefits of Daily Interaction Prior to the violent OK Tornadoes in May of 2013, the NWS SR ROC gave a special briefing to key FEMA Region VI Personnel. After the briefing: We can tell by the tone of your voice that this is going to be serious tonight. Based on that, we are going to keep several folks here in the RRCC to keep a close eye on everything so we are ready to respond if the state should need us.

7 Consistency Incidents begin and end locally (NIMS) Major Emergencies: what is local? Likely a state response Also likely to be a federal response National County Parish Regional State All weather messages should be consistent!

8 Why do we Collaborate? WFO County / Parish EM WFO HLT WFO NHC State EM RFC RFC ROC WPC FEMA Region

9 Hurrevac: Hurricane Liaison Team Timing Augment of hazards rapid communications vs Clearance times Partnership between the NWS and FEMA FEMA Hurricane Program Managers FEMA Reservists NWS meteorologists and hydrologists Support response operations through the rapid exchange of critical information between the National Hurricane Center and emergency managers at all levels.

10 Hurricane Liaison Team Summary of Operations James Franklin, HSU Chief of the National Hurricane Center provides a briefing on Tropical Storm Bill, June, 16, 2015, at the National Hurricane Center in Miami. A full-time FEMA employee at the NHC HLT activates on June 1 st Deploy for hurricane threats to the United States or territories Deployments can occur within 24 hours of notification HLT remains operational until the hurricane threat passes

11 Hurricane Liaison Team Summary of Operations Hurricane Program Manager (from affected regions) Provides real-time interpretation, assessment and guidance Integrate the NHC s forecasts with State and local planning assumptions. Rebecca Jennings, FEMA Regional Team Leader and Rodney Rose, IT lead preparing for a VTC for Hurricane Arthur, July, 2, 2014, at the National Hurricane Center in Miami. Provide NHC visibility on State and local protective actions Improved messaging

12 Hurrevac: Hurricane Liaison Team Timing Augment of hazards rapid communications vs Clearance times Video/Teleconferences NHC/NWS FEMA and other Federal Agencies State Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) Responding to emergency management questions and concerns. 12

13 FEMA Region Support FEMA Regions I, II & III All in NWS Eastern Region FEMA Regions IV & VI In NWS Southern Region Different levels of routine support Deployments done via FEMA Mission Assignments

14 State Support Each state is different in needs and roles of the NWS regarding weather support Best practices: Being involved in hurricane exercises with your state meteorologists and emergency management Utilizing DSS coordinator and NWSChat for coordination during events One voice on state level briefings NWS offices can provide input on the briefing content

15 NWS DSS Coordinator at NHC Deployed at National Hurricane Center (NHC) during major events Coordinates between local offices, national centers, and deployed meteorologists or hydrologists Facilitates communication between local offices and NHC operations (e.g. special upper air releases; changes to Watches/Warnings or TCP) Can help coordinate storm surge forecast, rainfall amounts, etc Aids in getting local office input to state emergency management briefings Future events may have two coordinators: one for meteorology and one for hydrology

16 Building Partnerships (Key West example)

17 Mutual Training with Core Partners

18 Media Interface Pre-Season

19 Different Partners Different Formats Consistent Data

20 Partner Timing Thresholds: Keys Example 84 hr C-130s evacuate non-ambulatory 72 hr Tourist evacuation (parks) 54 hr Deploy National Guard assets 48 hr Hurricane Watch 48 hr Mobile home residents 36 hr Hurricane Warning 24 hr Evacuation of all residents 00 hr Arrival of TS winds: Evacuation Ends 00 hr Opening of Last Resort Refuges

21 Partner Wind Thresholds: Keys Example 35 mph School buses cannot cross bridges; electric companies cease repairs 40 mph Law enforcement, public works, Aqueduct authority cease operations 45 mph All Electrical, Public Works, and Routine emergency/fire rescue response ceases 60 mph - Critical services on case by case

22 WebEOC

23 Social Media

24 Strengths-Based Leadership 4 Domains of Leadership: Executing Influencing Relationship Building Know How to Help Their Team Essential Glue Make Things Reach a Much That Holds a Happen Broader Team Together Audience, Internal The Goal of Strengths Based or Leadership External is to configure any team with members across the four domains of leadership. Strategic Thinking Ones Who Keep Us All Focused on What Could Be Could this be applied to how work functions are disseminated in an office also?

25 NWS: Whole-Office Concept in a Hurricane Create a deep bench of meteorologists that can brief. Involve all staff in DSS training initiatives (EHM Course; partner exercises; Regional DSS Roadshow; media training) One voice one person gives the briefing; multiple voices can undermine the impact. Address issues/conflicts in the message after the fact. Empower/trust forecasters to handle certain briefings or deployments Some briefings more politically sensitive than others (who handles these?)

26 NWS: Everyone has a Role Utilize work teams of balanced strengths Office/event coordinator: coordinates between forecast desks, social media, and those deployed One set of slides : Slide content/style can be tweaked for different partners based on local conditions but information/message between briefing packages must remain consistent Text/graphical forecast products: best handled by one meteorologist Forecast desks: decision support begins with a solid forecast

27 NWS: Other Considerations Separate media/social media desk? Social media: once in storm mode - dedicate one person to it. 8 hour vs 12 hour shifts: Some heavier workload desks (like radar) may need to stay on 8 hour shifts Post-Storm Period: Enhanced work levels likely to continue! Some meteorologists may need time off for recovery/rest. Backfill positions from Regional Deployment Pool

28 Deploy or Not Deploy? Deployments: Reach hundreds more partners Aid them with targeted life/death decisions Tailor forecast information for their needs Media involvement Partners Deploy to WFO? Targeted locations (examples): WFO Key West Monroe County EOC Regional Deployment Pools: Provide NWS offices with additional staff to deploy to local office

29 Office Display of Defined Roles

30 Talking Points

31 Decision Support Best Practices in Tropical Emergencies Importance of building relationships pre-season We do not make customer decisions Clearly designed roles and assigned briefings Impact vs. Category Stop being so technical and be more succinct Social media: stay on top of the message Send the slides in advance! One page talking points Staying adaptable and flexible Communication/coordination at all levels!

32 Questions? National Weather Service Key West ext. 222