French meteorological “vigilance” procedure

1. A presentation and evaluationof the procedure French meteorological “vigilance” procedure Vigilance procedure – december 2007

2. French meteorological “vigilance” procedure • Context • Procedure’s routine working • Users’ feedback • Conclusion « vigilance » procedure –december 2007

3. Why? • Effective since the 1st of October 2001, replaced older (BRAM and ALARM) procedures wich were in effect since 1993. • Goals: • to better inform, thanks to a simple and condensed message that focuses on dangerous weather phenomena, • to improve the early warning, • to broaden the dissemination of the information. « vigilance » procedure –december 2007

4. How? • Two parts: • The meteorological watch map • A follow-up report in case of a dangerous phenomenon « vigilance » procedure –december 2007

5. For whom? • Governmental Services • National; • Regional (administrative unit made of multiple “departments”); • Departmental (a department is a regional administrative unit). • Media • The public at large The crisis room of the COGIC (Operational Centre for Interministerial Crisis Management) « vigilance » procedure –december 2007

6. Vigilance is not alarm • The “vigilance” is a meteorological watch (Météo-France) and the alarm is decided by the Civil Defence Organization • watch => follow-up ; • No systematic watch –> alarm tipping ; • Both work to create a risk culture ; « vigilance » procedure –december 2007

7. French meteorological “vigilance” procedure • Context • Procedure’s routine working • Users’ feedback • Conclusion « vigilance » procedure –december 2007

8. The meteorological watch map (1 of 3) • This map over continental France represents for the next 24 hours a definition of potential meteorological danger; • by department; • Four levels of risk, associated with 4 colours : green, yellow, orange and red. « vigilance » procedure –december 2007

9. The meteorological watch map(2 of 3) Which phenomena are indicated : • Violent winds; • Heavy precipitation -> rain - flooding; • Thunderstorms; • Snow/sleet; • Avalanches; • Coldwave; • Heatwave « vigilance » procedure –december 2007

10. The meteorological watch map (3 of 3) « vigilance » procedure –december 2007

11. Follow-up reports • Produced in case of orange or red watch • Approximately every 3 hours « vigilance » procedure –december 2007

12. The 4 watch levels Green : • No particular vigilance is required. Yellow : • Be attentive if practising activities exposed to meteorological risk, for some phenomena have been forecast, that are occasionally dangerous, although usual in the region (e.g. mistral wind, summer thunderstorms); keep informed about weather developments. Orange : • Be very vigilant; dangerous meteorological phenomena have been forecasted; keep informed about weather developments and directives broadcasted by the authorities; Red : • Absolute vigilance is required; dangerous and exceptionally intense meteorological phenomena have been forecasted ; keep regularly informed about weather development and conform to directives or orders broadcasted by the authorities « vigilance » procedure –december 2007

13. Production • Produced twice a day, broadcasted at 6 h and 16 h standard time. • Exceptional production may be initiated outside these hours (if the risk significantly increases or diminishes). • In case of an orange or red zone: • a clear, concise text about the phenomenon; • some directives on behaviour, drawn up by authorities. « vigilance » procedure –december 2007

14. Dissemination • In projected (“input”) mode National, regional and departemental services in charged of Civil Defence, Road, Health, Environment and Media; • In take-over (“pull out”) mode on www.meteo.fr web-site : • Media; • Mayors; • Corporate and private users; • Backup Internet site « vigilance » procedure –december 2007

15. Follow-up in case of orange or red zone(s) • At Météo-France national and regional forecasting level • Co-ordination of forecasting • A follow-up national level report • The regional Centres are responsible for regional reports • At Météo-France departemental level • The departmental centres play an essential role as interfacing with their local partners: prefects (head of departements), rescue services, customers, media. « vigilance » procedure –december 2007

16. Follow-up reports • Produced in case of orange or red vigilance ; • approximately, every 3 hours • The content is: • Type of event • Location and duration (time of start and finish) • Present situation, development • Description of the event (comparisons, frequency) • Possible consequences • Recommandation on behaviour • Time of the next report « vigilance » procedure –december 2007

17. French meteorological “vigilance” procedure • Context • Procedure’s routine working • Users’ feedback • Conclusion « vigilance » procedure –december 2007

18. Usefulness and common knowledge • The general public: a wide common knowledge • The map is very well known (80%); • one feels sufficiently informed (70%); • main access to information (96%): television. • Prefectures: a noticeable improvement • + early warning; • + a decreasing number of weather watches; • + local expertise; • – reports must be improved; • – improved communication to be performed towards mayors and the general public « vigilance » procedure –december 2007

19. Knowledge of the chart by the general public (%) « vigilance » procedure –december 2007

20. Influence on self behaviour • Do you follow the recommendation on behaviour (%) ? « vigilance » procedure –december 2007

21. Conclusion • Vigilance : a concept which has been making rapid strides • European meteorological vigilance ; www.meteoalarm.eu • Specific Flood vigilance www.vigicrues.ecologie.gouv.fr « vigilance » procedure –december 2007

22. Statistical data 2006 • 46 orange vigilance episodes • 96 separate days with orange vigilance. « vigilance » procedure –december 2007

23. A dynamic procedure… • Evaluated and assessed by a follow group in which active partners meet 3 times a year; • An interministerial steering committee meets once a year to decide on procedural developments; • An annual evaluation is co-authored by all the active partners « vigilance » procedure –december 2007

24. The “annual assessment” document • An institutional communication tool on meteorological vigilance; feedback about procedure and presentation of statistical data; • A 20 page document, deliberately a digest; • Published and produced by Météo-France, with logos from the 4 Ministries: Interior, Ecology, Transportation and Health; • A foreword co-signed by Météo-France & Ministry of the Interior « vigilance » procedure –december 2007

25. Continuous improvement • A partnership procedure providing real progress: focusing on the most dangerous events, conversion of meteorological thresholds into risks, massive and parallel distribution, mindful of staying close to end users. Note: 2001 was a transition year between former procedure Bram-Alarme and new meteorological vigilance procedure, set up on the 1st of October. « vigilance » procedure –december 2007

26. Performances in 2006 () departemental level « vigilance » procedure –december 2007

27. Statistical data 2005 « vigilance » procedure –december 2007