MINUTES LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE Tuesday, May 7, 2014

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1 MINUTES LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE Tuesday, May 7, 2014 Members Present: Joe Celmer, Natalie Easterday, Randy Wright, Gary Tachen, Jim Hoffman Members Absent: Grant Bystol, Andrew Czarnecki, Doug Erdman, Judy Gregory, Amy Hartmann, Doug Knope, Pat Trinko, Jaime Bodden, Marvin Klosterman, Brad Rabideau, Mike Mathey Others Present: Scott Vanidestine (on behalf of Judy Gregory), Mark Kohl (on behalf of Brad Rabideau), Colleen McInnis (on behalf of Mike Mathey), Jeff Last Location and Time: Shawano County Sheriff s Office, 405 N. Main Street, Shawano - 2:00pm Call to Order: Meeting was called to order by Chairman Celmer. Welcome/Introductions: Celmer welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made around the table. Motion to Deviate: Tachen made a motion to deviate from the agenda, seconded by Vanidestine. All in favor and motion carried. It was later noted that due to a lack of quorum, action is void. Public Comment/Correspondence: None Presentation: Jeff Last, Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Green Bay provided the committee with a presentation on being weather radio. Copy of the presentation is included. Approval Minutes: Committee reviewed the February 18, 2014 meeting minutes. Action was postponed until next meeting due to lack of quorum. Membership Changes: Easterday outlined the following membership changes. Remove Brad Rabideau and replace with Mark Kohl Remove Marvin Klosterman and replace with new appointment from the Public Safety Committee Remove Doug Erdman. Recommended replacement was Judy Steffes (Easterday to followup on recommendation before next meeting) Action on membership changes was postponed until next meeting due to lack of quorum.

2 Shawano County Hazardous Materials Strategic Plan: Easterday briefly overviewed the major changes in the 2014 plan revision, listed below. Streamlined the formatting Updated the list of planning and reporting facilities Updated the LEPC membership list Updated that hazardous materials team member and equipment information Added required maps Inserted revised state hazardous materials team information The committee briefly discussed, but action on the plan was postponed until next meeting due to lack of quorum Computer and Hazardous Materials Grant: Easterday reviewed the annual grant submission noting that application included the following equipment: hazardous materials suits, combustible gas indicator, portable scanner (2), radios, oil absorbent pad, portable hard drive, monitor, conference call pod, data/matrix switch, webcam, and laptop. Table Top Exercise: Easterday discussed her conversations with the state training coordinators to hold a two-part table top exercise in August focused on a hazardous materials spill which results in an evacuation. The first part of the exercise would focus on county staff and emergency operations center operations while the second part would involve the county hazardous materials team. The proposal is an ongoing work in progress and additional details will be provided as available. Next Meeting: Next meeting is scheduled for August 5, 2014 at 2pm. Meeting adjourned at 2:54pm.

3 Plan, Practice, Monitor, Act Are You Weather-Ready? Jeff Last Warning Coordination Meteorologist National Weather Service NOAA National Weather Service Are You Ready? Today s Presentation The National Weather Service Plan, Practice, Monitor, Act Two Case Studies Watching the Storm Receiving Weather Information What the NWS Can Do for You 1

Weather Decision Advisors: National Weather Service

Administration (NOAA) under the Department of

NOAA conducts research and gathers data about the

4 Weather Decision Advisors: National Weather Service The National Weather Service (NWS) is an agency in the Federal Government. The NWS is in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Department of Commerce. NOAA conducts research and gathers data about the global oceans, atmosphere, space and sun, and applies this knowledge to science and service that touch the lives of all Americans. 2

5 The National Weather Service is responsible for issuing forecasts and warnings for the protection of life and property and the enhancement of the national economy. There are 122 NWS Weather Forecast Offices across the country, including an office in Puerto Rico and Guam. National Weather Service: The NWS in Wisconsin Five offices serve 72 counties, rivers, and marine areas of Wisconsin. Each office has a Doppler radar, which gives meteorologists a unique view of storms. Duluth Minneapolis MN IA La Crosse Weather Forecast Office and Doppler radar locations Bay Green Bay Milwaukee/Sullivan 3

6 National Weather Service: The NWS in Green Bay Meteorologists are on duty 24 hours a day, monitoring the weather for 22 counties in northeast Wisconsin including the Bay and nearshore waters of Lake Michigan. National Weather Service: The NWS in Green Bay NWS Green Bay: 22 staff members 22 staff members -12 meteorologists - 5 forecaster assistants - Electronics Technicians - IT Support 4

7 Are You Ready for a Storm: Plan, Practice, Monitor, Act Plan, Practice, Monitor, Act The key to saving lives and The key to saving lives and protecting property is preparing for all weather hazards... 5

8 Plan, Practice, Monitor, Act Parsons Manufacturing Plant DVD Plan, Practice, Monitor, Act Parsons Manufacturing Plant July

9 F4 tornado! Spotters gave plant precious lead time. 140 employees went to shelters. No deaths or injuries: Preparation, knowledge and action saved lives! Storm shelters 7

Weather safety plan was tested regularly employees knew what to do

10 Plan, Practice, Monitor, Act Plant had a weather safety plan. Plant had designated weather watchers. Weather safety plan was tested regularly employees knew what to do and where to go when a real tornado threatened. Plan, Practice, Monitor, Act Indiana State Fair August

11 Severe Thunderstorm! Severe Thunderstorm! 9

12 Plan, Practice, Monitor, Act 7 dead, 58 injured Chance for severe storms was well forecast (even a day or two before!) Severe T-storm Watch was issued 3 hours before storm hit Alerts/warning were issued ahead of the storm Grandstand was not evacuated Could it Happen Here? In Shawano County, we average Nearly 3 winter storms per season 5 severe wind events per year 2 large hail events per year 1 tornado every 2 to 3 years 10

13 Plan, Practice, Monitor, Act Your Business/Event Name Here Storms on the Horizon: Watching the Storm 11

Watching the Storm Storm spotters and weather watchers are volunteers that help communities and the NWS watch storms. They provide valuable lead time to businesses, large gatherings, and the public.

14 Watching the Storm Storm spotters and weather watchers are volunteers that help communities and the NWS watch storms. They provide valuable lead time to businesses, large gatherings, and the public. Watching the Storm: Storm Spotters The National Weather Service (NWS) has a network of trained storm spotters who keep an eye to the sky. Spotters report severe weather to NWS and local officials. 12

15 Watching the Storm: Storm Spotters NWS Doppler Radar shows forecasters where significant weather might be occurring. Spotters tell NWS forecasters exactly what is occurring. Watching the Storm: Storm Spotters Training, sponsored by local emergency management and the NWS, is held every spring across northeast Wisconsin. 13

16 Watching the Storm: Designated Weather Watchers Businesses, hospitals, schools, churches, and other places where a large number of people gather should designate a weather watcher when severe weather threatens. The weather watcher should have access to weather information (internet), a weather radio, a view to the outside, and a method to alert building/area occupants. Watching the Storm: Designated Weather Watchers When a warning is issued or a tornado is observed, the weather watcher can alert everyone of the hazard so protective action can be taken. Weather watchers don t have to be trained spotters, but should consider it. 14

17 Storms in the Forecast: Getting Weather Information NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts all hazard emergency information, 24/7. This includes weather and non-weather emergencies When a warning is issued, specially designed radios automatically turn on and broadcast the information. The smoke alarm for hazards and severe weather information. 15

18 NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards The information comes directly from the local NWS office. When the weather is calm, the radios broadcast current weather conditions, forecasts, and climate information. NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards 16

19 NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards As an all hazards radio network, NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts emergency messages about non-weather events in addition to weather emergencies. NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards Non-Weather Emergency Messages ID Product Type ID Product Type ADR Administrative Message HMW Hazardous Materials Warning CDW Civil Danger Warning LEW Law Enforcement Warning CEM Civil Emergency Message LAE Local Area Emergency EQW Earthquake Warning NUW Nuclear Power Plant Warning EVI Evacuation Immediate RHW Radiological Hazard Warning FRW Fire Warning SPW Shelter In Place Warning TOE Telephone Outage Emergency Note: Not listed is Child Abduction Emergency (CAE) which is not broadcast on NWR in Wisconsin. 17

20 The Internet The NWS has a comprehensive weather web site with the latest forecasts, watches, and warnings. The Internet The NWS web site contains Forecasts and Current Weather 18

21 The Internet The NWS web site contains Watches and Warnings The Internet The NWS web site contains Live Radar 19

22 The Internet The NWS web site contains Storm Reports The Internet All available at 20

23 The Internet There are many web sites that offer free emergency , cell and pager messages. For example, the Emergency and Wireless Network ( offers NWS warnings and forecasts for your portable device. Weather messaging is also available from TV stations and other vendors (free or $$). Smart Phones Weather apps, including those that display warnings and radar, are available for many smart phones. 21

24 Commercial TV and Radio All NWS watches and warnings are disseminated to commercial TV and radio stations. Many stations then broadcast the information to viewers/listeners. Private Weather Vendors The private weather industry takes NWS products and tailors them for the specific needs of their customers. For a list of private weather vendors: 22

25 Methods to Receive Info Summary NOAA Weather Radio Pros: Directly from NWS; 24/7; active; no fee for service Cons: No pictures Internet (NWS web site) Pros: Pictures and text; 24/7; no fee for using web page Cons: Generally passive Commercial TV and Radio Pros: Free; some images (TV) Cons: Passive if device is turned off Private Weather Vendors Pros: Tailored weather information; 24/7; active Cons: $$ The National Weather Service: What We Can Do for You 23

What the NWS Can Do for You Plan and Practice Weather

gov/grb What the NWS Can Do for You Decision Support

contacts NWS in support of large, outdoor event NWS

26 What the NWS Can Do for You Plan and Practice Weather safety web sites Safety brochures What the NWS Can Do for You Decision Support Assistance Through local emergency management EM contacts NWS in support of large, outdoor event NWS provides heads up to EM when there is a threat of significant weather 24

27 What You Can Do Monitor and Act Weather info: NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards Attend storm spotter training Questions? weather Jeff Last NOAA National Weather Service 25

Unit 5: NWS Hazardous Weather Products. Hazardous Weather and Flooding Preparedness

Unit 5: NWS Hazardous Weather Products Objectives Describe the mission of the NWS Describe the basic organizational structure of the NWS Explain the purpose of various NWS products Explain how Probability