Noaa corporate office nominations
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Name of Nominee: Kristine Nelson Salutation: Ms. Pronunciation: NEL son Title: Meteorologist-in-Charge Series and Grade: GS-1340-13 Complete office address: Center Weather Service Unit 700 North Boniface Parkway
NOAA/National Weather Service Alaska Region Headquarters 222 West 7th Ave, #23 Anchorage, AK 99513-7575 Telephone: (907) 271-5136 Name of Nominee: Gregory Pratt Salutation: Mr. Pronunciation: Pratt Title: Chief, Aviation Systems Development and Deployment Section Series and Grade: ZP-1550-04 Name of Nominee: Lynn Sherretz Salutation: Dr. Pronunciation: SHARE itz Title: Chief, Requirements and Program Development Section Series and Grade: ZP-1340-04 Complete office address: NOAA/ESRL R/GSD5 325 Broadway Boulder, CO 80305-3328 5. Other DoC/National Weather Service Awards: Hall - Organization Bronze Medal 1998 Nelson - no previous DOC medals/NOAA Administrator Awards Osiensky - no previous DOC medals/NOAA Administrator Awards Pratt - no previous DOC medals/NOAA Administrator Awards Sherretz - no previous DOC medals/NOAA Administrator Awards Strager - Silver Medal 1997, National Isaac Cline Award 1998, Alaska Region Isaac Cline 2005 6. Current Performance Rating: "Pass" for Hall, Nelson, Osiensky and Strager. "Eligible -90" for Pratt and Sherretz. 7. Nominator's Name, Title, complete office address, and phone number: Laura 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? Developing the Volcanic Ash Collaboration Tool provided improved volcanic ash forecasting capabilities during volcanic eruptions, essential to preventing volcanic ash damage to lives and property. I. Certificate Text: For dedicated project management of the Volcanic Ash Collaboration Tool, a new volcanic ash decision-support and forecasting tool. III. Justification: Section 1 - Definitions: CWSU - Center Weather Service Unit DOC – Department of Commerce FAA- Federal Aviation Administration NOAA – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NWS – NOAA’s National Weather Service USGS - United States Geological Survey VAAC - Volcanic Ash Advisory Center VACT – Volcanic Ash Collaboration Tool Section 2 - Award Justification: What was the specific goal, challenge or problem related to the Department's mission/or Strategic Plan? The team's goal was to manage the development of a tool to locate and determine the extent and movement of volcanic ash, supporting DOC Goal 1, to provide information and tools to maximize U.S. competitiveness and promote economic growth for American industries, workers, and consumers. Volcanic ash poses significant risk to the aviation and marine industries, causing engine failures and reduced visibility. Risks to the general public include reduced visibility, multiple health impacts, and personal property damage. What was the context in which the nominee addressed the goal, challenge, or problem? The USGS has the responsibility to determine when an eruption has occurred; NOAA’s responsibility is to issue warnings of volcanic ash hazards. This requires inter-agency collaboration, a longstanding challenge that has previously resulted in conflicting information being disseminated. By conceiving and developing the VACT, the team enabled collaborative decision-making between the agencies during real-time forecasting of volcanic eruptions. What specific actions did the nominee take to address the goal, challenge or problem? The team developed and implemented a project plan to address the needs, requirements, solution, and research and development for the VACT. The team made efficient use of time and technology in the development and testing process. All this was done with a limited budget, in addition to the team's regular workload, and with the constraints imposed by such a dispersed set of collaborators. What were the results of the actions in either quantifiable or qualitative terms? The team's efforts resulted in more timely and accurate forecasts from a coordinated multi-agency response, allowing operational scientists in the USGS and NOAA/NWS to collaborate in real time with shared situational awareness. The VACT was operationally tested during the winter 2006 Augustine volcano eruptions that caused the cancellation of many airline flights, redeployment of military aircraft, and ashfall in several communities. USGS scientists repeatedly expressed gratitude to the nominees for spearheading the development of the VACT, because of its ability to facilitate coordination amongst agencies during volcanic events. Section 3 - Additional Information: How long did it take to complete the accomplishment? When was the accomplishment completed/implemented/deployed? The project began in the Spring of 2003, and the last demonstration of the prototype tool was in January 2006. What is the short-term impact (1-2 years) of the accomplishment on the bureau and/or Department's mission? The impact of this real-time, multi-user collaborative capability during emergency events is enormous for protecting lives, property and the environment. This enables the issuance of more accurate, timely, and consistent warnings. What is the long-term impact (3-5 years) of the accomplishment on the bureau and/or Department's mission? A single volcanic eruption can interrupt aviation services world-wide, and create serious threats to health and property. Having conceived and developed the VACT, the team made it possible to efficiently and accurately forecast and warn for eruptions, directly benefiting our mission of protecting lives and property. The tool also shows great promise to allow interagency coordination for other hazards such as tsunamis and hurricanes. Does the accomplishment affect other bureaus/Department or other Federal agencies? If so, how? This tool has widespread applicability for collaborative decision-making. During Augustine's eruptions, NOAA/NWS meteorologists and USGS geophysicists with the Alaska Volcano Observatory utilized the tool precisely as designed. Did the accomplishment result in a major advancement in science, technology, or automation? If so, how? This state-of-the-art development resolves longstanding problems in real-time communications between multiple government entities. Tools for rapid decision-making have widespread applicability to agencies interested in protecting lives, property and the environment. Also, this tool addresses longstanding problems in real-time volcanic ash forecasting. Did the accomplishment result in a major advancement in non-scientific areas such as customer service or administrative support? If so, how? The team made a major improvement to customer service by increasing the ability for multiple agencies to collaborate in real-time and make more accurate decisions for forecasting volcanic ash dispersion and fallout. Volcanic ash forecasting has a major impact on customers such as the general public and the aviation and marine communities. USGS and NWS operational scientists have praised the VACT, both for its decision-support, as well as having fostered dramatically improved collaboration between both agencies. Customers are benefiting by more consistent, timely, and higher quality NWS volcanic ash products and services. WFO Birmingham, AL NWS Nomination #62 (Originally submitted as Hurricane Katrina nomination) 1. Type of Award: Bronze 2. Nomination Type: Organization 3. Nomination Category: Public Service 4. Name of Nominee: NOAA/NWS Weather Forecast Office, Birmingham, AL Complete Office Address: National Weather Service 465 Weathervane Rd. Calera, AL 35040
DOC Bronze Medal – 2005 DOC Bronze Medal – 2004 DOC Silver Medal – 2003 DOC Silver Medal – 2000 DOC Bronze Medal – 1994 6. Current Performance Rating: N/A 7. Nominator’s Name, Title, Address, Phone Number: X. William Proenza Director, National Weather Service Southern Region 819 Taylor Street, Room 10A03 Fort Worth, TX 76102 (817) 978-1000 What is the significance of this accomplishment? WFO Birmingham provided outstanding weather services to Alabama and other NWS offices which mitigated the loss of life and property from Hurricane Katrina, the worst natural disaster in U.S. history. I. Certificate Text: For providing weather service and support to the state of Alabama prior to and after Hurricane Katrina made landfall. II. Justification Section 1 - Definitions: EOC – Emergency Operations Center EM – emergency manager/management Section 2 - Award Justification:
Providing weather support is related to Strategic Goal 3, Objective 3.1, “…to predict changes in the environment…to meet economic, social, and environmental needs.”
The WFO understood they were facing one of the worst hurricanes in history, and responded accordingly. Before, during and after the storm, staff members consistently placed the NWS mission above their own concerns by providing critical support and services to local, state and federal officials, as well as the general public. In addition, staffing and services were provided to neighboring offices to assist with backup operations.
As the NWS state liaison office for Alabama, WFO Birmingham worked closely with the state government, stationing two staff members 24 hours a day at the state EOC. Another staff member provided the Governor, state and federal officials numerous briefings prior to and during the event, including national television interviews. At the local level, the WFO held statewide conference calls twice a day, as well as answering numerous individual calls from the EMs, media and public. After landfall, four staff members were sent to WFO Mobile for a total of one week to assist with backup operations, and brought over 600 pounds of ice (WFO Birmingham staff providing personal ice chests), and 55 gallons of gasoline for use of affected employees at both WFO Mobile and WFO Slidell. WFO Birmingham took over web services for WFO Slidell, ensuring the web site was kept up to date with the latest information. Finally, with help from Southern Region Headquarters, WFO Birmingham creatively configured AWIPS as an alternate backup to WFO Slidell.
Due to the efforts of the WFO, people were as prepared as possible for Katrina. As an example of the impact these efforts had, the Governor of Alabama highly praised the National Weather Service for “always being there when we need them.” Section 3 - Additional Information: (Maximum number of characters for all six questions in this section cannot exceed 1900.)
WFO Birmingham’s effort to enhance hurricane services is an ongoing process. Since Hurricane Ivan last year, extensive changes were made to the office’s hurricane operations plan to maximize services to officials and the media. This included having designated staff assigned to the state EOC and gathering input from the four WFOs that serve Alabama to provide media and governmental briefings. Detailed staffing plans were created to ensure adequate staffing before, during, and after the hurricane, and office talking points were developed twice a day for a consistent message from every staff member. During the actual Katrina event, the staff spent approximately four days forecasting and preparing for Katrina. In the aftermath, the WFO not only continued operations, but sent forecasters to WFO Mobile to assist that office with backup operations.
The performance of the WFO during this catastrophic weather event demonstrates that the NOAA/NWS mission of protecting life and property will continue to be advanced in the WFO’s area of responsibility in coming years. Critical weather information from the WFO has achieved a level of credibility and accuracy which will enable partners and the general public to have a high level of trust in this information in coming years.
Same as short term given above.
The extensive services given to the state and county emergency management community enabled them to work more effectively with DHS and FEMA in allocating and positioning resources before, during, and after Katrina.
No.
Because of the trust given to the NWS by the highest level of state government, the WFO will continue to be a vital part of state operations during high impact events, in addition to strengthening the relationships with the media and county officials. WFO Upton, New York NWS Nomination #63 1. Type of Award: Bronze 2. Nomination Type: Organizational 3. Nomination Category: Customer Service 4. Name of Nominee: NOAA/NWS Brookhaven, NY Accepting the award: Michael Wyllie, Meteorologist-in-Charge Salutation: Mr. Pronunciation: why-lee Complete office address: National Weather Service Office, NOAA 175 Brookhaven Avenue Upton, NY 11973
Gold Medal - Sep 2002 Bronze Medal - Oct 2000 Gold Medal - Dec 1996 6. Current Performance Rating: N/A 7. Nominator=s Name, Title, Office Address, Phone Number: Mickey Brown, Deputy Director NWS Eastern Region 630 Johnson Avenue Bohemia, NY 11716 Telephone: (631) 244-0102 What is the significance of this accomplishment? Accurate and timely warnings, forecasts, and contact with emergency managers dramatically reduced economic losses across the New York City Metropolitan area during the Blizzard of 2006. I. Certificate Text: For exemplary customer service enabling officials and citizens to take actions to reduce the impact of the Blizzard of February, 2006. II. Program Text: III. Justification: Section 1 - Definitions: EM Emergency Managers GPRA Government Performance and Results Act NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NWS NOAA/National Weather Service NYC New York City NYC Metro New York City Metropolitan Area OEM Office of Emergency Management WFO Weather Forecast Office Section 2 - Award Justification:
Support the Nation’s Commerce with Information for Safe and Efficient Transportation. The economy of the NYC Metro area is dependent on the safe and efficient transportation of people and goods to and from NYC. Any interruption to the transportation system has a major impact on the economy of the area and the nation. Snow has a major effect on transportation. Snow removal crews need long lead time to prepare, even longer when snow is measured in feet. Communication between WFO Upton and Emergency Managers (EMs) before, during, and after the Blizzard of 2006 was the key to efficient snow removal.
A record breaking blizzard produced over 2’ of snow across the NYC Metro area February 11-12, 2006. 26.9” of snow fell in Central Park, the most ever recorded in the Park. Bands of snow dumped more than 3”/hour. Research in snow banding was put into operation by the Upton staff. A continuous exchange of information between Upton and EMs ensured a prompt and timely response to the snow.
Upton notified customers to the potential of a snowstorm 5 days before the blizzard. Blizzard Watch/Warnings were issued nearly 50 hours before the storm, well above the national NWS Government Performance and Results ACT (GPRA) goal of 17 hours. Hundreds of coordination calls were made to EMs. Many were made before any watch was issued and temperatures were still in the 50s. During the blizzard, Upton kept EMs informed on the progress of the storm, providing detailed forecasts on the band of snow producing snow at a rate of 3”/hour.
The fact the Blizzard of 2006 was a 1 day news story was testimony to the efficient work of snow removal crews. The financial district was able to resume business as usual a day after the largest snowstorm in NYC recorded history. Tens of millions of dollars were saved to the nation’s economy. Snow removal equipment was pre-positioned, personnel were ready for long hours, and procedures were modified to account for record snow well in advance of the first flake. This was possible because of the communication and partnership Upton maintains with its EMs. Section 3 - Additional Information:
The potential for a significant snowstorm was highlighted 5 days in advance; Blizzard Watch/Warnings were issued nearly 50 hours in advance. Many years have been spent cultivating partnerships and open communication with EMs. What is the short-term impact (1-2 years) of the accomplishment on the bureau and/or Department=s mission? Tens of millions of dollars in the nation’s economy were saved. Due to excellent coordination, snow was removed from the NYC Metro area the day following the blizzard allowing Wall Street to open, schools to open, and mass transit to run.
Credibility and trust in Commerce and cultivation of extremely positive customer relationships, including our media partners. Janice Huff and John Marshall, WNBC-TV4, Meteorologists said, “NWS did a great job with the forecasting the Blizzard of 2006.” The Weather Channel’s Paul Kocin was “extremely pleased with the NWS performance.”
Hundreds of state and local briefings for Federal, state, and local officials and other partners were conducted. Excellent interagency coordination resulted in superb mitigation planning and allocation of state and Federal resources. The New York State Department of Transportation, and the Nassau and Suffolk County Offices of Emergency Management (OEMs) agreed that, “the NWS forecasts were right on the money. The office did a great job.”
Snow forecasting techniques on a small scale were taken from research and validated in operations.
A major achievement in customer service occurred by enhancing the legitimacy and authenticity of Commerce through NWS fulfilling its mission, increasing long-term confidence in NWS warnings and forecasts. Public sector partners were congratulatory regarding NWS performance. Elliot Abrams, AccuWeather, said, “I can comment that I thought the forecasts from the Upton office were excellent, raising blizzard warnings well in advance, and issuing frequent forecast updates throughout the storm. The forecasters working before and during the storm can take great pride in what they accomplished.” Aviation Weather Center NWS Nomination #64 1. Type of Award: Bronze 2. Nomination Type: Organization 3. Nomination Category: Customer Service 4. Name of Nominee: NOAA/NWS Aviation Weather Center (AWC) Complete office address: National Weather Service Office, NOAA Aviation Weather Center 7220 NW 101st Terrace, Room 101 Kansas City, MO 64153 5. Other National Weather Service Awards: The Aviation Weather Center received a Bronze Medal for the Collaborative Convective Forecast Product in October 2000. 6. Current Performance Rating: N/A 7. Nominator’s Name, Title, complete office address, and phone number: John A. May, Director NOAA Aviation Weather Center 7220 NW 101st Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64153 Telephone: (816) 584-7201
NWS – NOAA’s National Weather Service Section 2 - Award Justification:
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