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*Unfortunately, this symposium is not open to the public.
When: October 26th and 27th, 2010.  Please register for the symposium using the link above.

Where:

Amarillo Community College Polk Street Campus, Business and Industry Center.  Amarillo, Texas.  (DIRECTIONS)

What:

This year, the Decision Support Symposium will focus on a few themes:

  • Emergency Response
    • This year we will feature a 2 hour simulation of a high impact event.  Participants will be tasked with responding to the event and may fill roles in areas outside of their expertise.
  • Preparedness
    • How can the local NWS Office become better prepared to serve the decision making community?
    • How do decision makers prepare for high impact events, and what lessons can the NWS learn from these examples?
  • Relationships
    • What is the importance in building relationships with the various agencies involved in decision making?
    • How can we build these effective relationships?
  • Societal Impacts
    • How does the public respond during high impact events?
    • What can be done to illicit positive decisions/behaviors during these events?
  • Big Impacts In Small Places
    • What challenges face rural communities during high impact events?
    • How can the NWS better understand and provide for the needs of rural communities?
Why:

To help National Weather Service Offices:

  • Build stronger relationships with the Decision Support Community
  • Provide improved Decision Support products and services
  • Develop a better understanding of roles in the Decision Support Community
  • Lay the foundation for future Decision Support products and services 

Also, to help our partners in the Decision Support Community:

  • Discuss their needs during high impact events 
  • Gain a better understanding of how the National Weather Service can be utilized for decision making
    • Learn what products and services the National Weather Service can provide
    • What we can provide now and in the future
  • Learn the roles of other agencies and how they respond during high impact events
How:

By providing an open forum to discuss Decision Support services including: partner needs, societal impacts, lessons learned, effective communication techniques, and innovation.
Who:

The target audience are those in the Decision Support community including (but not limited to):

  • National Weather Service
  • Emergency Managers/County Judges
  • Forest Service/Fire Departments
  • Law Enforcement
  • Media
  • School Districts
  • Federal Aviation Administration
  • Department of Transportation/Public Works
  • Red Cross/Volunteer Disaster Agencies
  • National Guard/Coast Guard
  • BWXT Pantex 

    • Also, Amarillo Community College has authorized TCLEOSE and CEU (continuing education) credits for those who participate in this 2-day workshop.

    Speakers and Topics:

    Dr. Heather Lazrus -  Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Oklahoma in Norman: "Social Science, Societal Impacts, and Weather "

    Tom Bradshaw - Meteorological Services Branch Chief, Southern Region Headquarters, Fort Worth:  "(Exact Title Pending) High Impacts Events Across The Southern Region Of The United States"

    Ken Graham - Meteorologist in Charge, WFO Slidell (New Orleans): "(Exact Title Pending) Supporting Deepwater Horizon"

    Kevin Starbuck - Potter/Randall County Emergency Management Coordinator: "(Exact Title Pending) The Importance of Collocation During A High Impact Event"

    David Solis - Regional Liaison Officer with Texas Department of Public Safety: "(Exact Title Pending)"

    Keith Shadden -  Emergency Management Coordinator, Beaver County Oklahoma "(Exact Title Pending) Emergency Response in Rural Communities" 

    Jon W. Zeitler - Science and Operations Officer (SOO), WFO Austin/San Antonio
    Kurt Van Speybroeck (Not Attending) - Lead Forecaster with Spaceflight Meteorology Group (SMG):     "The NASA/SMG Simulation Culture: Lessons for Improving Your Weather Decision Partnerships"

    Darone Jones - Societal Impacts Program Manager, Western Region Headquarters, Salt Lake City:  "(Exact Title Pending) SAFER Concepts"

    Mark Strobin - Forecaster, WFO Monterey/San Francisco: "Building Relationships Between the National Weather Service and the Marine Community"

    Rich Okulski - Warning Coordination Meteorologist, WFO Memphis: "Trusting Us When It Matters: NWS Support To The Beale Street Music Festival - 2008 to 2010"

    Mike Chapman - Associate Scientist With Earth System Research Laboratory Global Systems Division of NCAR, Boulder, Colorado: "(Exact Title Pending) Decision Support Systems for the Transportation Industry"

    Scott Curl - Forecaster, WFO Norman/Oklahoma City: "Tactical High-Resolution Grid Forecasting"

    John Brost - Forecaster, WFO Amarillo: "Are We Ready?  Results from a NWS Operational Forecaster Survey"

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