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Wireless Weather Services

NWS and Weather Enterprise Roles

Forum on Wireless Weather Services

June 28, 2011

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Emergency Management

To coordinate effective and efficient community and governmental response to natural and man-

made disasters

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Emergency Management Agencies and What They Do

Local Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management leads the coordination of local resources.

Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) called in to assist local government.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) called in to assist when State and Local assets are exhausted or are in danger of becoming exhausted. Reimbursement

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Natural Hazards

Winter Weather

Floods

Hurricanes/Tropical Storms

Severe Thunderstorms

Tornado

Drought

Geologic Phenomena

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Man-Made or Technological Hazards

Hazardous Materials

Transportation Accidents

Fire and Explosion

Dam Failure

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Shelter-In-Place – close exterior doors, close windows, turn off heating, ventilation, & air conditioning (HVAC). Listen to the radio for updates from emergency management officials.

Evacuation – follow directions, do NOT take short-cuts. Take your disaster supplies kit.

Terminology

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Public Notification Methods

• Reverse 911• Cable TV Override• Emergency Alert System• Weather Alert Radio’s• Web Sites• Social Media

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Goal of EM’s

• Notify as many people as possible

• Notify as quickly as possible

• Notify the people who need to be notified

• Notify with accurate information

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EM Wish list

• Modify alerts for specific area

• Alert all residents in geographic area

• Allow public to pick what to be notified of

• Allow multiple device activation without cost

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Thank You

• Mark F. Demski, CEM• Maryland Emergency Management Agency• Assistant Operations Director• mdemski@mema.state.md.us• 410-517-3686