EXEMPLARY PRACTICES IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Meteorological Consultation Services
Program Description: Mr. Curran, a certified weather spotter for the U.S. Weather Service, provides detailed weather analyses and forecasts in a usable format for emergency management officials. Using up-to-the-minute satellite and radar graphics, he provides real-time data interpretation to fire and emergency management officials, which enables them to provide enhanced resource management and logistics during severe weather conditions. Using this data, emergency managers are able to prestage hand crews, swift water rescue teams, bulldozers, and other resources in areas with severe weather conditions. By providing this data in real time, managers are able to react quickly in areas identified by satellite, radar, or telemetry. The techniques used to provide this data can easily be adapted to other jurisdictions by providing training in basic meteorological data interpretation. In addition, many of the satellite and radar products he uses are currently available on the Internet at no cost.
Evaluation Information: Mr. Curran's provision of real-time weather data during extreme weather conditions has been acknowledged by the Laguna Beach Fire Chief and the Assistant Director of Operations of the Orange County Fire Department. Furthermore, the service has received several letters of recommendation from emergency management officials whose departments have benefited from the weather updates during emergency situations.
Annual Budget: Forecasting and consultation services normally occur during regular, on-duty fire department hours. Overtime has been granted by the Fire Authority on an as-needed basis during significant weather events. Associated computer online and service subscription costs are absorbed by the fire department.
Sources of Funding: N/A.
Program Type: Meteorological consultation services.
Target Population: Local emergency management agencies.
Setting: Orange County, California.
Project Startup Date: 1992.
Contact:
Pete Curran Firefighter/Paramedic/Meteorologist
Orange County Fire Authority
2435 Camino Bucanero
San Clemente, CA 92673
Tel: 714-492-5859
Fax: 714-492-5012
Last Modified: Thursday, 30-Mar-2006 10:02:20 EST