11/20/2012
South Central Idaho ITD office commended for weather safety preparedness; first in the U.S. to be recognized
SHOSHONE – Setting a standard for weather safety preparedness, the south central Idaho office of the Idaho Transportation Department was acknowledged recently by the National Weather Service (NWS for being storm-ready.
According to Vernon Preston, warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Pocatello, ITD District Four is the first transportation entity in the United States to earn the recognition usually reserved for towns and other municipalities.
The South Central Idaho StormReady Local Advisory Board awarded ITD District Four the National Weather Service StormReady Recognition in January and presented the recognition plaque and signs on Friday (Nov. 16) in Twin Falls.
“Here in south central Idaho, our natural environment and diverse terrain come coupled with severe weather risks in every season—especially from blizzards and extreme cold in winter. These risks require constant communication with community officials year round,” Preston said. “The StormReady process arms us with improved communication and safety skills needed to save lives and property – before and during a weather event.”
To meet the requirements of the StormReady Recognition, ITD District Four had to demonstrate adequate levels of emergency operations to include communications, equipment, facilities and human resources. Also redundant methods of weather monitoring, trained storm spotters and communications with NWS, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radios in each building.
The recognition is valid for three years and renewal is based on improvement of technology and techniques.
“We are excited to be recognized for our readiness capabilities and proud to partner with the National Weather Service in critical decision-making processes,” said Bryan Smith, ITD emergency program manager.
Through its partnership with ITD, the NWS has developed a travel page which includes briefing information with recordings, 511 road conditions with links to their weather-observation system and cameras, forecast tools, and safety information. ITD uses NWS forecasts to make critical staffing decisions before and during major storms, decide what winter applications to use, and where to stage resources. ITD has shown using NWS decision support services saves the state government money, and more importantly, reduced the time highways experience dangerous conditions with a corresponding decrease in accidents, injuries and loss of life.
The StormReady program is part of NOAA National Weather Service's working partnership with the International Association of Emergency Managers and the National Emergency Management Association. For more information about the National Weather Service StormReady program, go to www.stormready.noaa.gov.