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Decision Support Services. A Review of WFO Buffalo Operations in Support of Recovery Efforts for Continental Flight 3407. Tom Niziol, WFO Buffalo. Purpose. To Reinforce The Point That
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Decision Support Services A Review of WFO Buffalo Operationsin Support of Recovery Efforts for Continental Flight 3407 Tom Niziol, WFO Buffalo
Purpose To Reinforce The Point That The National Weather Service IsUniquely Positioned To Provide Expert Decision Support Service To Our Customers
Purpose To show how a well-trained office can respond to a high impact event with virtually no advance warning to provide expert DSS to our customers.
Continental Flight 3407 10:20 pm February 12th, 2009 49 fatalities on board 1 fatality on the ground
Continental Flight 3407Surface Weather Conditions at Buffalo Time: 954PM Visibility: 3 miles Weather: Light snow and mist Winds: Southwest 16mph with gusts to 24mph Ceiling: 2100ft KBUF 130254Z 24015G22KT 3SM -SN BR FEW011 BKN021 OVC027 Note: As part of NWS Enhanced Aviation Support, WFO BuffaloIssues Scheduled Amended TAFs Every 3 Hours
How Does One React to Disaster A Review of the First 18 Hours of Support Provided by WFO Buffalo to Emergency Responders
Chronology(1020PM – 1100PM) • 1020PM – Accident Occurs • 1025 - Evening News Ends • 1030 - MIC calls office • 1040PM – ATCT Contacts WFO • 1045 - Forecaster Calls office • Initial Skytel to ERH
Chronology(1100PM – 1215AM) • 1100PM – Local News Details • Updated Skytel to ERH • 1130PM – ERH calls WFO • WFO Contacts AOMC • Initiates Aircraft Incident Report • 1215AM – Aircraft Incident Report (AIR) email issue call MIC
Chronology(1215AM – 430AM) • 1215AM - 400AM • Several Media sources local / national call for interviews • All are referred to FAA • 430AM – Media relays Emergency Operations Center (EOC) move Note: WFO Workstations All Face a Situation Awareness Wall Which Includes 3-screen Media Display
Chronology(430AM – 630AM) • 500AM – WCM / ITO called • 600AM – WCM deploys to EOC • ITO repairs AWIPS email issues Note: WCM is equipped with a laptop and air card that allows her to work independently from any location Note: WCM has completed ICS-100 and ICS-300 coursework. All forecast staff recently completed ICS-100 coursework.
Chronology(730AM – 900AM) • 730AM – Shift Change (IMET) • 900AM – Initiates 1st SPOT Forecast • Winds - Active Fire Support • Temperature – First Responders • Wind Direction – Crane Operation • Precipitation – Next Winter Event Note: WFO Buffalo Has Two Certified IMETS Active Fire
Chronology(930AM – 1230PM) • 930AM – MIC Briefs Staff • Latest details of support • Rules of communications • 1000AM – ERH calls on NTSB visit • 1100AM – NTSB Data Collection • 1230PM – NTSB Binder Complete • NTSB Data Support • Aircraft Incident Reports • ASOS Data • Raobs • Other Warnings • Short Term Forecasts • SPOT Forecasts
Chronology(1230PM – 300PM) NTSB Data Briefing
Chronology(300PM – 600PM) • 300PM – NTSB • Full Briefing • Meeting with Forecasters • 500PM – WCM returns • Briefs MIC on Ops for Next Day • 600PM • 3hr SPOT forecasts continue • Short Term Forecast continue
Event Summary • We were extremely fortunate to have 4 days of sunny skies and no “weather” after the crash. • The entire recovery operation was completed in 5 days, forced by weather forecasts that indicated rain and snow by the 6th day.
Summary WFO Buffalo DSS Operations • WFO Workstations All Face a Situation Awareness Wall Which Includes 3-screen Media Display • WCM Has Completed ICS-100 and ICS-300 Coursework. All Forecast Staff Recently Completed ICS-100 Coursework. • WCM Laptop Equipped For Complete Independent Support • WFO Buffalo Has Two Certified IMETS • Involve ALL Support Staff (ASA, IMET , ETs etc.) • The Rapport That Has Grown Between the Local WFO and Emergency Management Community is Essential
Summary The National Weather ServiceIs Uniquely Positioned To Provide Expert Decision Support ServiceTo Our Customers
To Support That Goal • …from NWS Next Strategies (2012-2017) • Increase direct interpretive decision support. • Improve and expand services for high impact events. • Implement new and emerging technologies for information.
The End Summer Sunset, Buffalo, NY