the role of noaa’s office of the federal coordinator for meteorological services and supporting...

The Role of NOAA’s Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and

Supporting Research in Interagency Coordination

Samuel P. WilliamsonFederal Coordinator for Meteorology

Presentation for NOAA Science Advisory BoardMarch 19, 2003

OverviewOverview

• Background• Coordinating Infrastructure• Key Focus Areas • Future Activities• Keys To Success• Benefits• Summary

• Background• Coordinating Infrastructure• Key Focus Areas • Future Activities• Keys To Success• Benefits• Summary

Public Law 87-843 (1963)

DOC Administrative Order

OFCM formed in 1964

1963

1964

• Accountable to Congress and OMB

• Coordinate agency budgets

• Report budgets and activities in annual Federal Plan

OFCMOFCM

BackgroundBackground

Historical Perspective

GAO Study Revitalizes OFCM

1979

To ensure the effective use of federal meteorological resources by leading the systematic coordination of operational weather requirements, services, and

supporting research; among the federal agencies

To ensure the effective use of federal meteorological resources by leading the systematic coordination of operational weather requirements, services, and

supporting research; among the federal agencies


Mission


• Environmental Support for Homeland Security

• Aviation Weather• Space Weather• Weather Information for

Surface Transportation• Climate Analysis,

Monitoring and Services

• Environmental Support for Homeland Security

• Aviation Weather• Space Weather• Weather Information for

Surface Transportation• Climate Analysis,

Monitoring and Services

• Cooperative Research• Observing Capabilities• Modeling and Prediction • Information Technology

and Communications• Environmental Services

• Cooperative Research• Observing Capabilities• Modeling and Prediction • Information Technology

and Communications• Environmental Services

Key Focus Areas--Agency Priorities

Federal Committee for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research (FCMSSR)

Interdepartmental Committee for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research (ICMSSR)

Federal Coordinator for Meteorology

Standing Committees

Program Councils

National Space Weather Program

National Aviation Weather ProgramEnvironmental

Services, Operations, and Research Needs

Operational Processing Centers

Environmental Information Systems and Communications

Integrated Observing Systems

Climate Analysis, Monitoring and

Services

Cooperative Research

Coordinating InfrastructureCoordinating Infrastructure

Working Group for

Environmental Support to Homeland Security

• Federal Committee for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research (FCMSSR)– Sets policy and priorities

• Interdepartmental Committee for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research (ICMSSR) and Program Councils– Implement policy decisions – Make policy recommendations to FCMSSR– Assess adequacy of federal programs and guide implementation of

new interagency programs

• Standing Committees– Document requirements, programs and activities to provide

framework for coordination and collaboration – Perform analysis of agency programs to provide basis for national

leadership to allocate funds to meet requirements

• Federal Committee for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research (FCMSSR)– Sets policy and priorities

• Interdepartmental Committee for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research (ICMSSR) and Program Councils– Implement policy decisions – Make policy recommendations to FCMSSR– Assess adequacy of federal programs and guide implementation of

new interagency programs

• Standing Committees– Document requirements, programs and activities to provide

framework for coordination and collaboration – Perform analysis of agency programs to provide basis for national

leadership to allocate funds to meet requirements

Roles / Responsibilities


Coordinating Infrastructure Coordinating Infrastructure

• Program Councils and Committees have the capability to form specialized teams to work specific projects--assigned within the existing infrastructure– Working Groups– Joint Action Groups (JAG)

• Groups formed to satisfy specific need• Interact with private sector and academia through

process, as required– Input and feedback critical to process– Forums and workshops hosted to gather user requirements

and ideas

• Program Councils and Committees have the capability to form specialized teams to work specific projects--assigned within the existing infrastructure– Working Groups– Joint Action Groups (JAG)

• Groups formed to satisfy specific need• Interact with private sector and academia through

process, as required– Input and feedback critical to process– Forums and workshops hosted to gather user requirements

and ideas

Roles / Responsibilities (Cont.)

Departments of:

• Homeland Security• FEMA• Coast Guard

• Agriculture• Commerce• Defense• Energy• Interior• State• Transportation

• Environmental Protection Agency• National Aeronautics and Space

Administration• National Science Foundation• National Transportation Safety Board• Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Independent agencies:

Executive Office of the President:

• Office of Management and Budget• Office of Science and Technology Policy

OFCM Partners


US Weather Research Program (USWRP)

US Global Change Research Program

(USGCRP)

National Science and Technology Council (NSTC)

Committee on the Environment and Natural Resources (CENR)

Subcommittee on Natural Disaster Reduction (SNDR)

National Research Council (NRC)Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate (BASC)Climate Research Committee (CRC)

National Center for Atmospheric Research

(NCAR)

University Corp. for Atmospheric Research

(UCAR)

American Meteorological Society (AMS)

OFCM Affiliations



• Annual Federal Plan for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research

• Annual Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference• National Hurricane Operations Plan• National Winter Storms Operations Plan• National Strategic and Implementation Plans for Space Weather,

Aviation Weather, and Weather Information for Surface Transportation• Federal Plan for Cooperative Support and Backup among Operational

Processing Centers• National Post-Storm Data Acquisition Plan• Directory of Atmospheric Transport and Diffusion Models• Federal Meteorological Handbooks• Requirement studies, summaries, evaluations and analyses• Crosscut reviews of federal weather programs• Organize and host forums, symposia, and workshops addressing

national meteorological needs

• Annual Federal Plan for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research

• Annual Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference• National Hurricane Operations Plan• National Winter Storms Operations Plan• National Strategic and Implementation Plans for Space Weather,

Aviation Weather, and Weather Information for Surface Transportation• Federal Plan for Cooperative Support and Backup among Operational

Processing Centers• National Post-Storm Data Acquisition Plan• Directory of Atmospheric Transport and Diffusion Models• Federal Meteorological Handbooks• Requirement studies, summaries, evaluations and analyses• Crosscut reviews of federal weather programs• Organize and host forums, symposia, and workshops addressing

national meteorological needs

Example - Key Products, Outcomes, Results

• OFCM has provided coordinating infrastructure for the federal Atmospheric Transport and Diffusion (ATD) modeling community for over 2 decades– Joint Action Group for Atmospheric Transport and Diffusion was the

vehicle for coordination

– The principal deliverable is the Directory on Atmospheric Transport and Diffusion Consequence Assessment Models (1999) containing detailed descriptions and characteristics of 64 models and applications (updated periodically)

• Working Group for Environmental Support to Homeland Security and Joint Action Group for the Selection and Evaluation of Atmospheric Transport and Diffusion Models (JAG/SEATD)

formed in 2002, in response to 9/11 implications for increased meteorological support for Homeland Security– 2002 JAG/SEATD Report…provide information to help improve state

of ATD modeling and use of ATD products in emergency operations

• OFCM has provided coordinating infrastructure for the federal Atmospheric Transport and Diffusion (ATD) modeling community for over 2 decades– Joint Action Group for Atmospheric Transport and Diffusion was the

vehicle for coordination

– The principal deliverable is the Directory on Atmospheric Transport and Diffusion Consequence Assessment Models (1999) containing detailed descriptions and characteristics of 64 models and applications (updated periodically)

• Working Group for Environmental Support to Homeland Security and Joint Action Group for the Selection and Evaluation of Atmospheric Transport and Diffusion Models (JAG/SEATD)

formed in 2002, in response to 9/11 implications for increased meteorological support for Homeland Security– 2002 JAG/SEATD Report…provide information to help improve state

of ATD modeling and use of ATD products in emergency operations

Environmental Support for Homeland Security

Key Focus Areas Key Focus Areas

– Report identified research and development needs to bridge gaps in understanding and capability

• Thirteen research needs identified…they need to be refined and prioritized by federal agencies involved in Homeland Security

• OFCM will conduct a Homeland Security forum in June 2003, to begin to refine and prioritize the R&D work required to meet Homeland Security meteorological support requirements, with a focus on urban environment– Goal: Use forum results to further develop, and then gain approval

of, a national concept of operations for support to Homeland Security operations, with R&D requirements identified to support improved operations

– Report identified research and development needs to bridge gaps in understanding and capability

• Thirteen research needs identified…they need to be refined and prioritized by federal agencies involved in Homeland Security

• OFCM will conduct a Homeland Security forum in June 2003, to begin to refine and prioritize the R&D work required to meet Homeland Security meteorological support requirements, with a focus on urban environment– Goal: Use forum results to further develop, and then gain approval

of, a national concept of operations for support to Homeland Security operations, with R&D requirements identified to support improved operations

Environmental Support for Homeland Security



• OFCM has provided coordinating infrastructure for federal aviation meteorological community for almost 3 decades

• National Aviation Weather Program Council formed in 1989– Purpose--guided development of an integrated multi-agency

plan to cover aviation weather services for the next decade and beyond…published in 1992

• OFCM began to assist FAA with preparation of a definitive plan to achieve an improved aviation weather system in 1995– OFCM would also assess the effectiveness of the national

aviation weather system and related research conducted by federal agencies

– 1997 - National Aviation Weather Program Strategic Plan published

• OFCM has provided coordinating infrastructure for federal aviation meteorological community for almost 3 decades

• National Aviation Weather Program Council formed in 1989– Purpose--guided development of an integrated multi-agency

plan to cover aviation weather services for the next decade and beyond…published in 1992

• OFCM began to assist FAA with preparation of a definitive plan to achieve an improved aviation weather system in 1995– OFCM would also assess the effectiveness of the national

aviation weather system and related research conducted by federal agencies

– 1997 - National Aviation Weather Program Strategic Plan published

Aviation Weather

Key Program Areas Key Program Areas

• Goal of 1997 National Aviation Weather Program is to reduce the number of weather-related aviation accidents and increase efficient use of the national air space– The Strategic Plan listed four high-priority areas for action…

one of which is “emphasis in research needs to be placed on the implementation of new technologies, as well as in development of these innovations”

• National Aviation Weather Initiatives published by the OFCM-sponsored Joint Action Group for Aviation Weather in 1999– Initiatives focused on specific aviation weather hazards

identified by users

– 86 R&D and technology initiatives were identified for the aviation weather hazards

• Goal of 1997 National Aviation Weather Program is to reduce the number of weather-related aviation accidents and increase efficient use of the national air space– The Strategic Plan listed four high-priority areas for action…

one of which is “emphasis in research needs to be placed on the implementation of new technologies, as well as in development of these innovations”

• National Aviation Weather Initiatives published by the OFCM-sponsored Joint Action Group for Aviation Weather in 1999– Initiatives focused on specific aviation weather hazards

identified by users

– 86 R&D and technology initiatives were identified for the aviation weather hazards

Aviation Weather

Key Program Areas Key Program Areas

• The National Aviation Weather Initiatives Baseline Tier 3/4 Report was published as a “snapshot” of the current status of aviation weather related R&D activities within the government agencies in 2001 – Federal agencies proposed funding profiles and schedules to

support programs to meet initiative needs

• Aviation Weather Initiatives and Tier 3/4 impacts:– 2003 - NWS received funding to start a seven-year program to

improve aviation weather warnings and forecasts (FY03)

– 2003 - OFCM will complete a new baseline of aviation weather related R&D activities

• The National Aviation Weather Initiatives Baseline Tier 3/4 Report was published as a “snapshot” of the current status of aviation weather related R&D activities within the government agencies in 2001 – Federal agencies proposed funding profiles and schedules to

support programs to meet initiative needs

• Aviation Weather Initiatives and Tier 3/4 impacts:– 2003 - NWS received funding to start a seven-year program to

improve aviation weather warnings and forecasts (FY03)

– 2003 - OFCM will complete a new baseline of aviation weather related R&D activities

Aviation Weather

Implementation Plan,

2nd Edition, July 2000

Strategic Plan, 1995

Implementation Plan, 1997

Space Weather



• Coordination infrastructure through National Space Weather Program Council (NSWPC) and Committee for Space Weather (CSW)

• NSWP and CSW efforts have greatly advanced R&D in space weather area– Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC)--

established in 1998 by interagency effort to aid in development of models for specifying/ forecasting conditions in space environment

• The CCMC fills a long-standing gap between space weather research community and operational units

• The CCMC concept--enhance space weather research, develop space weather models, and provide a means for more effective transitioning of research models to operations

• Coordination infrastructure through National Space Weather Program Council (NSWPC) and Committee for Space Weather (CSW)

• NSWP and CSW efforts have greatly advanced R&D in space weather area– Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC)--

established in 1998 by interagency effort to aid in development of models for specifying/ forecasting conditions in space environment

• The CCMC fills a long-standing gap between space weather research community and operational units

• The CCMC concept--enhance space weather research, develop space weather models, and provide a means for more effective transitioning of research models to operations

Space Weather


– Center for Integrated Space Weather Modeling (CISM)--created in 2002…a NSF Science and Technology Center focused on central and most ambitious research goals of the National Space Weather Program

• Will create models to predict potentially damaging space weather events---make it possible to begin to protect against them

• Space Weather Committee currently tackling: – Identifying existing NOAA and DOD facilities (or other

facilities) which should be expanded to accommodate the archive of current and future space- and ground-based data sets of the geospace environment to support future R&D

– Determining which space weather facilities contribute key data to space weather models, operational programs, and R&D, and determining a strategy to maintain/ establish facilities needed for operational use

– Center for Integrated Space Weather Modeling (CISM)--created in 2002…a NSF Science and Technology Center focused on central and most ambitious research goals of the National Space Weather Program

• Will create models to predict potentially damaging space weather events---make it possible to begin to protect against them

• Space Weather Committee currently tackling: – Identifying existing NOAA and DOD facilities (or other

facilities) which should be expanded to accommodate the archive of current and future space- and ground-based data sets of the geospace environment to support future R&D

– Determining which space weather facilities contribute key data to space weather models, operational programs, and R&D, and determining a strategy to maintain/ establish facilities needed for operational use

Space Weather


• Coordination infrastructure provided by WIST Joint Action Group– Formed to address meteorological requirements for surface

transportation

– Weather support for surface transportation was seen as minimal and safety and economic productivity were at stake

• WIST Symposium outcomes:– Build clearer understanding of weather needs / requirements to

establishment national needs / requirements document

– Symposium results used to refine and validate general requirements for six core modes of surface transportation--roadway, railway, transit, marine transportation, pipeline systems, and airport ground operations

– Result--first national WIST needs assessment report published in December 2002

• Coordination infrastructure provided by WIST Joint Action Group– Formed to address meteorological requirements for surface

transportation

– Weather support for surface transportation was seen as minimal and safety and economic productivity were at stake

• WIST Symposium outcomes:– Build clearer understanding of weather needs / requirements to

establishment national needs / requirements document

– Symposium results used to refine and validate general requirements for six core modes of surface transportation--roadway, railway, transit, marine transportation, pipeline systems, and airport ground operations

– Result--first national WIST needs assessment report published in December 2002

Weather Information for Surface Transportation (WIST)


• National WIST needs assessment report identified three R&D related strategic thrust areas – Expand coordination among R&D programs and providers of

WIST products and services

– Translate research results and new technologies into WIST applications

– Support research to expand and fill gaps in fundamental knowledge that enables/supports future technology development/application

• National WIST needs assessment report identified three R&D related strategic thrust areas – Expand coordination among R&D programs and providers of

WIST products and services

– Translate research results and new technologies into WIST applications

– Support research to expand and fill gaps in fundamental knowledge that enables/supports future technology development/application

Weather Information for Surface Transportation (WIST)


• Coordination infrastructure provided through Committee for Climate Analysis, Monitoring and Services– Coordinated federal efforts to research, develop, and

field the Climate Reference Network to meet climate monitoring requirements

– Developed Government Climate Resources home page/portal to enhance interagency cooperation

• Provides central location to link to agencies’ climate research and program resources

• Coordination infrastructure provided through Committee for Climate Analysis, Monitoring and Services– Coordinated federal efforts to research, develop, and

field the Climate Reference Network to meet climate monitoring requirements

– Developed Government Climate Resources home page/portal to enhance interagency cooperation

• Provides central location to link to agencies’ climate research and program resources

Climate Analysis, Monitoring and Services

Key Focus AreasKey Focus Areas

• Preparing to respond to recommendations from BASC Summer Study report on Climate Services. Specifically addressing two recommendations and will assist, as required, with the others

• Next Step – develop set of requirements for Climate Information, Products, and Services to support the US Global Change Research Program (USGCRP)

• Preparing to respond to recommendations from BASC Summer Study report on Climate Services. Specifically addressing two recommendations and will assist, as required, with the others

• Next Step – develop set of requirements for Climate Information, Products, and Services to support the US Global Change Research Program (USGCRP)

Climate Analysis, Monitoring and Services


• Coordinating infrastructure through Committee for Cooperative Research

– Principal focus: Transitioning research to operations

• Set need to develop a sustainable, formalized approach to transition successful hurricane research results into operations (55th IHC in 2001)

• Described a proposed framework in the 2002 Federal Meteorological Plan’s special article

• Joint Hurricane Testbed is a first and important step in the right direction

• Provided $200,000 in seed money to support the research and development of the next-generation Stepped Frequency Microwave Radiometer (SFMR) to support NOAA and DOD Hurricane reconnaissance

• Coordinating infrastructure through Committee for Cooperative Research

– Principal focus: Transitioning research to operations

• Set need to develop a sustainable, formalized approach to transition successful hurricane research results into operations (55th IHC in 2001)

• Described a proposed framework in the 2002 Federal Meteorological Plan’s special article

• Joint Hurricane Testbed is a first and important step in the right direction

• Provided $200,000 in seed money to support the research and development of the next-generation Stepped Frequency Microwave Radiometer (SFMR) to support NOAA and DOD Hurricane reconnaissance



– Cosponsored with Subcommittee for Natural Disaster Reduction (SNDR) the Forum on Risk Management and Assessment of Natural Hazards, Feb 5-6, 2001

• Built consensus to proceed with national natural hazard assessment in “bite-size chunks”

• Follow-on work will focus on a national assessment for climate, technical hazards, urban environment, agriculture, and transportation

– Worked with U.S. Weather Research Program to expand the membership

• NOAA, Navy, NSF, and NASA were original members• Added Air Force, DOT (FAA & FHWA), FEMA, EPA,

USDA, and DOE as result of interagency coordination actions

– Cosponsored with Subcommittee for Natural Disaster Reduction (SNDR) the Forum on Risk Management and Assessment of Natural Hazards, Feb 5-6, 2001

• Built consensus to proceed with national natural hazard assessment in “bite-size chunks”

• Follow-on work will focus on a national assessment for climate, technical hazards, urban environment, agriculture, and transportation

– Worked with U.S. Weather Research Program to expand the membership

• NOAA, Navy, NSF, and NASA were original members• Added Air Force, DOT (FAA & FHWA), FEMA, EPA,

USDA, and DOE as result of interagency coordination actions



• Committee for Integrated Observing Systems– Cooperative Observing (COOP) Network--OFCM co-

sponsored a COOP forum with the NWS and NESDIS to gather and understand user requirements and benefits in September 2002

– Lightning Detection Systems--developing federal requirements for lightning data for 2003 contract (JAG with NWS lead)

– Develop nationally coordinated system to meet requirements for road-weather observations (FHWA)

• 2003 – conduct a meteorological observation requirements study and develop a national requirements document– Focus on climate, natural hazards, technological hazards,

urban environment, transportation, and agriculture

• Committee for Integrated Observing Systems– Cooperative Observing (COOP) Network--OFCM co-

sponsored a COOP forum with the NWS and NESDIS to gather and understand user requirements and benefits in September 2002

– Lightning Detection Systems--developing federal requirements for lightning data for 2003 contract (JAG with NWS lead)

– Develop nationally coordinated system to meet requirements for road-weather observations (FHWA)

• 2003 – conduct a meteorological observation requirements study and develop a national requirements document– Focus on climate, natural hazards, technological hazards,

urban environment, transportation, and agriculture

Observing Capabilities


• Coordination infrastructure through the Committee for Operational Processing Centers (COPC) and Working Group for Cooperative Support and Backup– Performed a backup capabilities “gap analysis,” developed a

strategic vision, and implementing objectives

– Collaborated to establish requirements and begin development of a next-generation “community” weather research and forecast model for mesoscale applications

– Performing a communications loading and throughput study to pinpoint current gaps and develop expansion requirements plan for next 5-10 years

• Coordination infrastructure through the Committee for Operational Processing Centers (COPC) and Working Group for Cooperative Support and Backup– Performed a backup capabilities “gap analysis,” developed a

strategic vision, and implementing objectives

– Collaborated to establish requirements and begin development of a next-generation “community” weather research and forecast model for mesoscale applications

– Performing a communications loading and throughput study to pinpoint current gaps and develop expansion requirements plan for next 5-10 years

Modeling and Prediction


Modeling and PredictionModeling and Prediction

• Federal Plan for Cooperative Support and Backup Among Operational Processing Centers--updated in November 2002– Backup procedures worked flawlessly during NCEP

Cray 90 supercomputer outage

– Rear Admiral Richard D. West, Oceanographer of the Navy:

• This outage “vividly illustrated the value of a national backup numerical weather prediction capability.”

• Currently finishing development of a catastrophic backup plan--single points of failure

• Federal Plan for Cooperative Support and Backup Among Operational Processing Centers--updated in November 2002– Backup procedures worked flawlessly during NCEP

Cray 90 supercomputer outage

– Rear Admiral Richard D. West, Oceanographer of the Navy:

• This outage “vividly illustrated the value of a national backup numerical weather prediction capability.”

• Currently finishing development of a catastrophic backup plan--single points of failure


• Coordination infrastructure through the Committee for Environmental Information Systems and Communications– Develops and coordinates next-generation information management

system requirements, including data visualization capabilities

– Address issues of communications interfaces and data exchange, data formats, meteorological codes, geographic information systems, and meteorological information management

– Advocate federal agency interests for the free and open exchange of data

• OFCM committee point of contact invited recently to attend a NOAA Hydrometeorology Testbed Concept Meeting and a Hydro-Meteorological Data Scoping Meeting to help lay foundation for wider interagency participation

• Coordination infrastructure through the Committee for Environmental Information Systems and Communications– Develops and coordinates next-generation information management

system requirements, including data visualization capabilities

– Address issues of communications interfaces and data exchange, data formats, meteorological codes, geographic information systems, and meteorological information management

– Advocate federal agency interests for the free and open exchange of data

• OFCM committee point of contact invited recently to attend a NOAA Hydrometeorology Testbed Concept Meeting and a Hydro-Meteorological Data Scoping Meeting to help lay foundation for wider interagency participation

Information Technology and Communications


• Coordination infrastructure through Committee for Environmental Services, Operations, and Research Needs

• Examples of interagency activities:– Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference--establish research

needs and set courses of action – Develop and publish annual operations plans in support of the

hurricane and winter storm programs (WG/Hurricane and Winter Storms Operations and Research)

– Natural Disaster Reduction/Post-Storm Data Acquisition (WG) coordinates Civil Air Patrol support to survey storm and/or flood damage, sets post-storm data acquisition requirements, and published a National Post-Storm Data Acquisition Plan (2003)

• Coordination infrastructure through Committee for Environmental Services, Operations, and Research Needs

• Examples of interagency activities:– Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference--establish research

needs and set courses of action – Develop and publish annual operations plans in support of the

hurricane and winter storm programs (WG/Hurricane and Winter Storms Operations and Research)

– Natural Disaster Reduction/Post-Storm Data Acquisition (WG) coordinates Civil Air Patrol support to survey storm and/or flood damage, sets post-storm data acquisition requirements, and published a National Post-Storm Data Acquisition Plan (2003)

Environmental Services


– Published new Wind Chill Temperature and Extreme Heat Indices Report (JAG/Temperature Indices)

• New WCT Index implemented for Winter 2001-2002 by NWS, DOD, and Canada

• Working requirements for further research to improve heat indices

– Severe Local Storms Operations (JAG)

• Published new plan May 2001

– Published national needs assessment of Weather Information for Surface Transportation (WIST) in December 2002, as mentioned earlier (JAG)

– Published new Wind Chill Temperature and Extreme Heat Indices Report (JAG/Temperature Indices)

• New WCT Index implemented for Winter 2001-2002 by NWS, DOD, and Canada

• Working requirements for further research to improve heat indices

– Severe Local Storms Operations (JAG)

• Published new plan May 2001

– Published national needs assessment of Weather Information for Surface Transportation (WIST) in December 2002, as mentioned earlier (JAG)

Environmental Services

Example - Environmental Services


• Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference (IHC)– Recent activities include:

• Integration of research and operations activities with a focus on transitioning successful research to operations

• Major effort to improve information dissemination• Improved outreach to and education of our user communities--particularly

emergency management• Publish annual National Hurricane Operations Plan

– New Initiative: Develop a future year capabilities improvement roadmap

• Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference (IHC)– Recent activities include:

• Integration of research and operations activities with a focus on transitioning successful research to operations

• Major effort to improve information dissemination• Improved outreach to and education of our user communities--particularly

emergency management• Publish annual National Hurricane Operations Plan

– New Initiative: Develop a future year capabilities improvement roadmap

Example - Environmental Services

IHC Themes the past 2 years:

• Hurricane Season 2002: 10 Years after Hurricane Andrew

• The Nation’s Hurricane Warning Program: Streamlining the Roadmap for the Future

• Weather Information for Surface Transportation -- follow on actions/recommendations

• Risk Management & Vulnerabilities Assessment forum at National Hurricane

Conference, April 2003, New Orleans, LA

• Space Weather Week, May 2003, Boulder, CO

• Intelligent Transportation Society of America, May 2003, Minneapolis, MN

• Environmental Support for Homeland Security, June 2003, Washington, DC– Focus on development of a National Plan for Environmental Support to

Homeland Security

• International Workshop on Volcanic Ash, Spring 2004, Washington, DC

• Weather Information for Surface Transportation -- follow on actions/recommendations

• Risk Management & Vulnerabilities Assessment forum at National Hurricane

Conference, April 2003, New Orleans, LA

• Space Weather Week, May 2003, Boulder, CO

• Intelligent Transportation Society of America, May 2003, Minneapolis, MN

• Environmental Support for Homeland Security, June 2003, Washington, DC– Focus on development of a National Plan for Environmental Support to

Homeland Security

• International Workshop on Volcanic Ash, Spring 2004, Washington, DC

Year 2003-2004

Future ActivitiesFuture Activities

Keys To SuccessKeys To Success

• Be responsive to agency/user needs and requirements

• Do not compete with NOAA Line Offices or the other federal agencies

• Strive to build consensus– Plan of action– Resources

• Resolve conflicts / issues and mitigate challenges before they become problems

• Respond to crises in a timely manner

• Facilitate steering of future direction and policy

• Be responsive to agency/user needs and requirements

• Do not compete with NOAA Line Offices or the other federal agencies

• Strive to build consensus– Plan of action– Resources

• Resolve conflicts / issues and mitigate challenges before they become problems

• Respond to crises in a timely manner

• Facilitate steering of future direction and policy

Coordination, Cooperation, and Integration-- Hallmarks for successfully achieving end goals

Benefits of OFCM Interagency Coordination

Benefits of OFCM Interagency Coordination

• Thoroughly develop interagency/user needs and requirements

• Save/marshal resources by focusing agency programs on validated requirements/priorities

• Find opportunities for leveraging existing research or acquisition programs by broad interagency participation

• Develop ways to accelerate obtaining required capabilities through interagency cooperation and research

• Document concepts of operation covering all interagency requirements and using all their capabilities

• Thoroughly develop interagency/user needs and requirements

• Save/marshal resources by focusing agency programs on validated requirements/priorities

• Find opportunities for leveraging existing research or acquisition programs by broad interagency participation

• Develop ways to accelerate obtaining required capabilities through interagency cooperation and research

• Document concepts of operation covering all interagency requirements and using all their capabilities

SummarySummary

• OFCM has over 35 years of experience

– Use a proven interagency coordinating infrastructure and a continually evolving and responsive collaboration process

– The OFCM continues to play a critical role in the overall federal weather program

• OFCM has over 35 years of experience

– Use a proven interagency coordinating infrastructure and a continually evolving and responsive collaboration process

– The OFCM continues to play a critical role in the overall federal weather program

OFCM Web Site

Panel/Conference/Forum/ Workshop summaries and presentations are available on OFCM Web Site

Click on “Special Projects” and navigate to the desired location

For Publications: Click on “Publications”

http://www.ofcm.gov/

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