We Really Are One Team

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We Really Are One Team!

• Daniel Nietfeld
• Science and Operations Officer
• NWS Omaha/Valley WFO

Kansas City IWT Workshop Using the WASIS
Approach January 21, 2009
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We want to be a well-oiled machine!

• Air-craft carrier
• Pilot and plane
• Deck crew
• ATC crew
• Integrated Warning Team
• NWS Meteorologists
• Broadcast Meteorologists
• Emergency Managers
• Sources of information
• Users of information

• Emergency Room Operations
• EMTs
• Doctors
• Nurses
• Patient

3
We use all 3 Pieces to the Warning Puzzle
Ground Truth (Spotters)
Radar
Environment
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But The Decision is a Human Element(The 4th
Piece to the Warning Puzzle)

• Tornado or Severe Thunderstorm Warning ?
• For how long ?
• For what geographic area ?
• Specific messages to emphasize ?

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The Decision is a Human Element(of course,
these never come into play)

• What is at stake ?
• Exactly who will be impacted by this ?
• Are people awake/sleeping/driving/etc ?
• Will my friends/family be hit ?
• Will I (we) be hit ?
• What has happened up to this point ?
• Have there already been fatalities ?
• What is the TV Station saying ?

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The Decision is a Human Element(of course,
these never come into play)

• Have I already missed earlier storms ?
• Am I making this decision entirely on my own ?
• Are there any pre-existing negative (or positive)
  public perceptions of us / me ?
• How will this information be received ?

And thats just the decision to warn or not!
What decisions are made once the warning is
issued ???
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Warning Sector 1
Mesoanalyst
Products
COMMS (NAWAS / Phones)
RADAR
Products
RADAR
Warning Sector 2
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HAM Net/Spotters
Warning Sector 1
RADAR
Warning Sector 2
Products
Mesoanalyst
COMMS (NAWAS / Phones)
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Science and Leadership

• Training
• Research
• Outreach
• Experience
• Technology
• Resources

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Science and Leadership

• Lead Time
• Threat
• When/Where
• Call to Actions
• Emphasis
• Validation

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IEM Chat Media/NWS Chat(Now NWS Chat)
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Real-Time Chaser Video and Reports
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(No Transcript)
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TV Chase/Reporting Crews
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Situational Awareness Displays
TV Stations
EM Info
EM Info
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ALL OF THE TEAM COMPONENTS INTEGRATED into a
well-oiled machine!

• Air-craft carrier
• Pilot and plane
• Deck crew
• ATC crew
• Integrated Warning Team
• NWS Meteorologists
• Broadcast Meteorologists
• Emergency Managers
• Sources of information
• Users of information

• Emergency Room Operations
• EMTs
• Doctors
• Nurses
• Patient

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Author Linda Fords Ten tips to get your
team on track
Tip 1 Servant leadership The various
component team leaders understand how to serve
the members of the team and gains influence
through understanding and being responsive to
their needs. All actions flow from the mission
and help shape the organizational culture.
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Author Linda Fords Ten tips to get your
team on track
Tip 2 Open Communication Active listening is
used to ensure crystal clear understanding.
Productive conflict is encouraged so new ideas
can be explored. Diverse opinions are welcomed.
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Author Linda Fords Ten tips to get your
team on track
Tip 3 Synergistic Relationships In an
effective team, members gain strength from one
another. They accomplish more together than they
could acting individually. In this case, the
whole is not only different, but also greater
than the sum of its parts.
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Author Linda Fords Ten tips to get your
team on track
Tip 4 Personal Development Effective team
members continually learn better ways of working
together. Individuals take responsibility for
improving knowledge to better contribute to the
team.
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Author Linda Fords Ten tips to get your
team on track
Tip 5 Problem Solving Methods The team
follows a standardized and shared way of solving
problems and conflict. Creativity is encouraged
in problem solving. DONT JUST IGNORE PROBLEMS
AND HOPE THEY GO AWAY!
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Author Linda Fords Ten tips to get your
team on track
Tip 6 Mission Ready Team members
understand, tangibly support and buy into the
organization's mission. It is considered
worthwhile and guides the team in all actions.
Personal issues do not supersede the mission.
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Author Linda Fords Ten tips to get your
team on track
Tip 7 Results Orientated Regardless of
tightly held beliefs, the team produces its
deliverables on time and with high quality. The
team members are self-directed and know what is
expected of them they willingly "buckle down"
and deliver.
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Author Linda Fords Ten tips to get your
team on track
Tip 8 Flexible Team Structure High
performing teams are flexible, responsive,
orderly and directed. They understand the
dynamics of how their team operates and are able
to easily adapt to a variety of situations.
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Author Linda Fords Ten tips to get your
team on track
Tip 9 Mutual Support Members of an effective
team develop a distinctive team spirit that
encourages mutual respect, support and enjoyment
of one another. The team successes and failures
impact each member, and the members willingly
extend themselves to one another.
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Author Linda Fords Ten tips to get your
team on track
Tip 10 Contentment High performing teams
look after their members in more ways than
through providing a menu of psychological
rewards. Team members actually grow in stature
through their membership. Their potential is
recognized and developed.
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We ALL Want to walk away from a high-impact
weather event

• FEEL GOOD about knowing we did EVERYTHING we
  could to SAVE LIVES
• FEEL GOOD about knowing we ALL worked TOGETHER to
  help protect our community
• Awareness before the event planning ahead
• Providing the best information during the event
• HAVE SECURITY about the NEXT event, knowing we
  are a WELL-OILED MACHINE !

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Parsons Before
Parsons Manufacturing Plant Roanoke, IL Prior to
July 13, 2004
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THIS IS WHY WE ARE HERE
WE MUST WORK TOGETHER AS A TEAM!
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Parsons Before
Parsons Manufacturing Plant Roanoke, IL Prior to
July 13, 2004
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Photos of the tornado striking the Parsons Plant
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Parsons After
Parsons Manufacturing Plant After the Tornado
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Parsons After
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We Really Are One Team!

• Daniel Nietfeld
• NWS Omaha/Valley WFO

OMAHA IWT Workshop Using the WASIS
Approach January XX, 2010 ???