Noaa corporate office nominations
Did the accomplishment result in a major advancement in science, technology, or automation? If so, how?
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Did the accomplishment result in a major advancement in science, technology, or automation? If so, how? Yes. Much scientific data gather on how wildfires spread under different weather regimes will help fire suppression in future fire events.
This on-site high impact incident meteorological support, provided to multiple agencies in the midst of a historic wildfire season, serves as a model for responsive customer service. Richard Okulski Group NWS Nomination #59 1. Type of Award: Bronze 2. Nomination Type: Group 3. Nomination Category: Public Service 4. Name of Nominee: Richard Okulski Salutation: Mr. Pronunciation: Rich-ard OH-KULL-ski Title: Warning Coordination Meteorologist Series and Grade: GS 1340-14 Complete Office Address: NOAA National Weather Service Forecast Office 7777 Walnut Grove Rd., OM1 Memphis, TN 38120-2198
Office of Science and Technology 1325 East-West Highway SSMC2, Room 12132 Silver Spring, MD 20910
1313 Halley Circle Norman, OK 73069
Airport Corporate Center 630 Johnson Avenue Bohemia, NY 11716-2626 Name of Nominee: Harold James (Jim) Keeney Jr. Salutation: Mr. Pronunciation: Jim KEE-nee Title: Regional Weather Services Program Manager Series and Grade: GS-1340-14 Complete Office Address: NOAA National Weather Service Central Region 7220 NW 101st Terrace Kansas City, MO 64153
819 Taylor Street, Room 10A03 Fort Worth, TX 76102-6171
5200 Auth Road, Room 302 Camp Springs, MD 20746-4304
1313 Halley Circle Norman, OK 73069
1313 Halley Circle Norman, OK 73069
3833 S. Development Avenue Boise, ID 83705-5354
Schneider - Organizational Gold Medal 2004 Schneider - Organizational Silver Medal 2001 Schneider - Organizational Bronze Medal 1997 Schneider - Organizational Gold Medal 1993 Schneider - Organizational Gold Medal 1993 McCarthy - Organizational Gold Medal 2004 McCarthy - Organizational Silver Medal 2001 McCarthy - Organizational Bronze Medal 1997 Schotz - Group Bronze Medal 2000 Schotz - Administrators Award 2000 Grosshans - Organizational Gold Medal 2004 Grosshans - Organizational Silver Medal 2001 Grosshans - Organizational Bronze Medal 1997 Flatt - Administrators Award 2004 Flatt – Organizational Bronze Medal 1999 Okulski – Organizational Bronze Medal 1999
Louis Uccellini, Director NOAA/National Centers for Environmental Prediction 5200 Auth Road Camp Springs, MD 20746-4304 301-763-8000, x7000 What is the significance of this accomplishment? This team led the effort that made NOAA’s tornado and severe thunderstorm watch a NWS-wide collaborative product. As a result, convective watches are emblematic of the “One NOAA” vision. I. Certificate Text: For outstanding public service in providing the public with a vastly improved suite of watch products to raise awareness during severe weather events. III. Justification: Section 1 - Definitions: DOD – The Department of Defense. FAA – The Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration. FEMA – The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency. GPRA – The Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) of 1993, which mandates that the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall require each agency to prepare an annual performance plan which establishes performance goals for each program activity set forth in the budget. Severe Thunderstorm Watch - A NOAA product which alerts the public, media and emergency managers to the development of conditions, over a limited geographic area, that are conducive to organized thunderstorms capable of producing six or more reports of ¾ (penny) diameter hail or greater or damaging wind of 50 knots (58 miles per hour) or greater. Watches are issued on an as needed basis. A watch indicates that conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes and/or severe thunderstorms. This is different from a warning, which is issued when severe weather event is imminent. NOAA – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NWS – NOAA’s National Weather Service SPC - The NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center Tornado Watch – A NOAA forecast product which alerts the public, media and emergency managers to the development of conditions, over a limited geographic area, that are conducive to organized thunderstorms capable of producing three or more tornadoes or any tornado which could produce F2 (a significant on the Fujita Tornado Intensity Scale with winds of 113 to 157 miles per hour) or greater damage. Watches are issued on an as-needed basis. A watch indicates that conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes and/or severe thunderstorms. This is different from a warning, which is issued when severe weather event is imminent. WFO – One of 122 local NOAA/NWS Weather Forecast Offices in the contiguous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Hawaii and Guam. Section 2 - Award Justification:
The mission of NOAA’s NWS is to protect the life and property of the American people through the issuance of timely, accurate forecasts of tornadoes and other hazardous weather to meet the Nation’s needs for Weather and Water. While the scientific basis for forecasting severe storms has improved dramatically over the past 30 years, the convective watch had changed little. The newly implemented Watch-By-County is a collaborative process that unifies the NWS forecast message, and increases WFO situational awareness contributing to increased warning lead time (NWS GPRA goal).
This was accomplished by a cross organization team whose members possessed diverse specialties that was drawn together to implement a complex NOAA severe weather program goal. Team members came from headquarters, national centers and local offices and dealt with issues ranging from product formatting to customer outreach.
The team developed a NWS-wide Watch-by-County Operations Concept; finalized product formats; designed, coordinated and executed operational tests; led development of needed software and training, thoroughly surveyed and addressed NOAA customer needs, and successfully implemented the new service nationwide. The effort was very large in breadth of impact. Success required that the technical and operational interactions to be refined to a high level of precision.
Watch-by-County became fully operational on 1 November 2005. Within the first month of operations, four major severe weather outbreaks occurred. The integrated system which the team led to operational status worked very well. The modernized NOAA Convective Watch meets the needs of emergency managers, broadcasters, private weather partners and other officials concerned with public safety. The new collaborative product suite allows NOAA customers to track all Severe Thunderstorm and Tornado Watches to the county level. The addition of marine zones to watches gives maritime customers the same level of service as land customers. Since it raises the level of severe weather awareness, this effort has lead to an enhanced protection of life and property on land and sea. Section 3 - Additional Information:
Focused pursuit of Watch-by-County began in 2002. The team, which had inherited a program with serious deficiencies, worked through the obstacles to a successful November 2005 implementation.
NOAA convective watch products now result from a collaboration that incorporates the SPC’s scientific specialization, and the WFO’s local knowledge. Watch products are now specific and easily decoded. The public hears a unified NOAA voice giving precise and consistent severe weather information.
Watch-by-County lays a foundation for advances in severe weather forecast specificity as NOAA moves to Geographic Information System (GIS) compatible products. When coupled with a move toward prognostic warnings, it will result in a seamless suite of severe weather forecasts from long range outlooks through short term warnings.
Yes. Increased watch specificity aids NOAA’s government partners. The DOD uses watches to alert assets of impending hazardous weather. The FAA uses watches to route aircraft around threat areas. FEMA and local emergency managers use watches to marshal resources needed to respond to severe weather.
Yes. The software and precisely meshed forecasts associated with the new watch dramatically improved NWS product consistency. A key lesson learned from the effort was that critical programs require a thorough operations concept and a focused team representing all impacted NOAA elements.
Yes. It resulted in a major advancement in public service. The new watch process provides coordinated “One NOAA” information in a more precise and user friendly format. External partners anxiously awaited expressed enthusiasm with the new products. A note from the Weather Channel stated, “I appreciate your indicating graphically when areas have been cleared from a watch ... the more specific you make that information, the more likely it is to be taken seriously. Thanks again for your great work.” Larry Rundquist Group NWS Nomination #60 Alaska’s Volunteer Pilot River Watch Program 1. Type of Award: Bronze 2. Nomination Type: Group 3. Nomination Category: Customer Service 4. Name of Nominee: Larry Rundquist Salutation: Dr. Pronunciation: RUND KWIST Title: Development and Operations Hydrologist, Alaska – Pacific River Forecast Center (APRFC)
Series and Grade: GS-1315-14 Name of Nominee: Jeff Perry Salutation: Mr. Pronunciation: PAIREE Title: Senior Hydrometeorological Analysis and Support Forecaster, APRFC Series and Grade: GS-1340-13 Name of Nominee: Rebecca Perry Salutation: Ms. Pronunciation: PAIREE Title: Hydrologic Technician, APRFC Series and Grade: GS-1316-8 Complete office address: National Weather Service Office, NOAA Alaska – Pacific River Forecast Center 6930 Sand Lake Road Anchorage, AK 99502-1845 Name of Nominee: Edward Plumb Salutation: Mr. Pronunciation: PLUM Title: Service Hydrologist, Weather Forecast Office (WFO) Fairbanks Series and Grade: GS-1315-12 Name of Nominee: Brad Sipperley Salutation: Mr. Pronunciation: SIPPER LEE Title: Hydrometeorological Technician, WFO Fairbanks Series and Grade: GS-1341-11 Complete office address: National Weather Service Office, NOAA WFO Fairbanks, UAF-IARC Building Post Office Box 757345 Fairbanks, AK 99775-7345 5. Other DoC/National Weather Service Awards: Rundquist: 2003 Bronze Medal (Group) 2004 NWS Max Kohler Award (received May 2005) Plumb: 2005 Silver Medal (Office) Sipperley: 2002, 2003, 2004 National Isaac Cline Award (Group) 2005 Silver Medal (Office) 6. Current Performance Rating: Pass for all. 7. Nominator's Name, Title, complete office address, and phone number: Laura K. Furgione, Director NOAA/National Weather Service Alaska Region Headquarters 222 West 7th Ave., #23 Anchorage, AK 99513-7575 Telephone: (907) 271-5136 What is the significance of this accomplishment? The team recruited pilots flying to isolated riverside villages to provide pilot reports of river ice conditions critical to ice jam flood forecasts, supplementing limited ground and satellite data. I. Certificate Text: For developing an innovative program using volunteer pilots to send pilot reports of river ice conditions in data sparse areas. III. Justification: Section 1 - Definitions: ADF&G Alaska Department of Fish and Game FAA Federal Aviation Administration FSS Flight Service Station Flood Any high flow, overflow, or inundation by water which causes or threatens damage Ice jam A blockage or partial blockage of river flow caused by the formation of ice or collection of ice fragments; may act as a dam NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration PIPEP Pilot Report is a standardized reporting format pilots use in flight to report meteorological conditions that might affect other aircraft such as icing, turbulence or wind speed; this program extends these reports to include standardized remarks on river ice conditions. USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Section 2 - Award Justification: What was the specific goal, challenge or problem related to the Department's mission/or Strategic Plan? The team directly supported Department of Commerce (DOC) Goal/Objective 3.1, Advance understanding and predict changes in the Earth's environment to meet America's economic, social and environmental needs. The ability to serve society’s need for weather and water information can be reduced in Alaska by a lack of observational data caused by the inaccessibility of many areas and the inherent limitations of polar orbiting satellites. Forecasts for ice jam flooding require knowledge of the condition of river ice along long stretches of the river basin. What was the context in which the nominee addressed the goal, challenge, or problem? Historical practice in Alaska allowed NOAA/National Weather Service (NWS) hydrologists to collaborate with state emergency management personnel to perform aerial reconnaissance on key rivers, providing excellent support for forecast and warning operations. Budgetary constraints had begun to limit the time available for charter aircraft operations, potentially resulting in a decrease in forecast timeliness and accuracy. What specific actions did the nominee take to address the goal, challenge or problem? Working with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Flight Service Stations (FSS), pilot associations, charter aircraft companies and small regional airlines, the nominees identified a group of volunteer pilots to provide pilot reports (PIREPs) of critical river ice conditions as they flew over area rivers during routine operations. The nominees developed training material, guides, and pilot tools, provided training to pilots and FSS representatives, and implemented an automated system to acquire the PIREPs and make them readily available to NWS hydrologists and the public. What were the results of the actions in either quantifiable or qualitative terms? The team's efforts conserved resources and improved river breakup forecasts. Their program collected valuable data from volunteer pilots, enabling NWS hydrologists and Alaska emergency managers schedule costly chartered reconnaissance flights over the Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers for the onset of breakup activity to maximize the cost benefits of these flights. Additionally, the group's efforts provided ice condition data on rivers not previously included in the NWS reconnaissance program, improving breakup forecasts on those rivers. Section 3 - Additional Information: How long did it take to complete the accomplishment? When was the accomplishment completed/implemented/deployed? In the spring of 2004, the team developed initial training material for Fairbanks-area Civil Air Patrol pilots. The pilot program over the northern half of the state was organized in March 2005, and PIREPs were delivered successfully from April to June. Over 50 PIREPs were submitted by participants including six individuals, four aviation charter services, three state or federal governmental agencies, and two FSS. It would have cost over $15,000 to get this information from 34 chartered flights. This spring, the program was extended to the balance of the State, and data collection will begin in late April. What is the short-term impact (1-2 years) of the accomplishment on the bureau and/or Department's mission? This achievement will provide data coverage in new areas while eliminating costly initial reconnaissance flights. The effort conserves resources while improving forecasts of river ice breakup and potential ice jam flooding that threatens lives and property each spring. What is the long-term impact (3-5 years) of the accomplishment on the bureau and/or Department's mission? Flooding in remote villages during spring breakup is a serious threat to lives and property. The team's efforts will result in improved forecasts in an expanded area, reducing the threat to the affected communities. Costly reconnaissance flights may begin later now, once the volunteers' reports indicate breakup is actually underway. The program's training material and guides will facilitate implementation in other NWS regions. Does the accomplishment affect other bureaus/Department or other Federal agencies? If so, how? Collaborators on this project included the FAA as the point of contact with the pilots, as well as pilots of the USFWS, ADF&G, and the Alaska State Troopers. These partners receive improved river forecast information which they utilize to protect lives and property. In addition, Patricia Weyrick, manager of the US Army Corps of Engineers (COE) Cold Regions Research and Experimental Laboratory (CRREL) Ice Jam Database, emailed this about the PIREPS and her ability to access them on the NWS web pages: “I love the PIREPs! WOW! This is fantastic!! Thanks SO much!” Did the accomplishment result in a major advancement in science, technology, or automation? If so, how? This program utilizes current scientific techniques to extend data collection and implement an automated system to acquire and disseminate pilot reports. Did the accomplishment result in a major advancement in non-scientific areas such as customer service or administrative support? If so, how? This program represents a major advance in the ability to collect critical, seasonal, low cost data in data sparse areas while strengthening our collaborative relationships with our user community. Tony Hall Group NWS Nomination #61 1. Type of Award: Bronze 2. Nomination Type: Group 3. Nomination Category: Scientific/Engineering Achievement 4. Name of Nominee: Tony Hall Salutation: Mr. Pronunciation: Hall Title: Meteorologist-in-Charge Series and Grade: GS-1340-14 Complete office address: Alaska Aviation Weather Unit 6930 Sand Lake Road Anchorage, AK 99502-1845 Directory: Word Word -> Illinois state board of education Word -> Ccm module 4 Persons, Families, and Corporate Bodies Associated with a Work Word -> Northern territory of australia Word -> Number: caveat in the [Will/Will and Codicil/Estate of] Word -> Word Wall Chants Use these as fun ways to practice word wall words at home! Word -> List of accessible executive records Word -> To visit our student-to-student file sharing network Word -> What We Owe Jehovah’s Witnesses Word -> PriceWaterhouseCoopers Archive 148 linear feet in 98 record cartons and 4 flat boxes. Biography/History Word -> Guide to Preparedness Download 1.54 Mb. Share with your friends:
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