Sebastian County Emergency Management hosted a storm spotter class on Monday evening, March 9. Members from local fire departments, including Midland, Hartford and Mansfield were in attendance.
Ed Calianese, Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Tulsa, OK, led the two hour course.
Storm spotters provide first-hand severe weather reports to their local officials, and to the National Weather Service in Tulsa, which are used to make critical warning decisions.
According to the NWS in Tulsa, each winter and spring the Tulsa office of the National Weather Service trains members of police and fire departments, emergency management officials, and amateur radio operators on spotting techniques. Typically, the training is coordinated by a local group (such as an emergency management agency) and a NWS meteorologist serves as the guest instructor. The goal of the training is not just to recognize tornadoes, but to have some understanding of storm structure, which in turn better prepares the spotter for the extreme and unusual circumstances. Other topics covered include an update on the latest NWS technology and procedures, ideas for organizing/coordinating spotter groups, and important safety considerations.
Members of the Sebastian County Youth Preparedness Council were also present, and provided popcorn to those in attendance.
