Warning Coordination Meteorologist Richard Okulski at the Mississippi State Mobile Emergency Operations Center (Photo: NWS)
(Sept. 27, 2008) -- The National Weather Service's office in Memphis, Tennessee provided "on site" decision support for the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency's Presidential Debate emergency response role in Oxford, Mississippi on September 25-26, 2008.
Warning Coordination Meteorologist Richard Okulski deployed to the Mississippi State Mobile Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to provide weather watch and site specific forecasts. He was prepared to provide "stand up" briefings as requested by the EOC staff and other decision makers.
Richard and other WFO Memphis emergency response meteorologists deploy with a laptop personal computer with "AWIPS emulator" or FX-Net software and a portable printer. The office can also deploy a portable weather station as the situation dictates. Each WFO Memphis emergency response meteorologist has received FEMA sponsored Incident Command System training.
Although the weather was dry with near normal temperatures during Richard's deployment he integrated into the Mobile EOC team and was able to provide site specific forecasts for the team's Incident Action Plan and hourly observations for the Oxford Fire Department for any potential HAZMAT concerns.
