IMET SERVICES – Forecasting in Complex Topography

Heath HockenberryNational Weather Service Fire Weather Program Manager

IMET Role OverviewCurrent IMET Equipment Locations

PDT (2)

OTX (2)

MSO (2)

WRHSLC

BOI (3)

MTR

HNX (2)

SEW (2)

TWC

REV (2)STO (2)

SGX

MFR (2)

PSR

PIH

PQR (2)

EKA

FGZ

GGW

TFX

VEF

LOX

BYZ

LKN

AJK

AFC

AFG

MHX

BUF

CHS

RLX

ILN

BTV

PRH

LKZABQ

MAF

EPZJAN

FFC

TBW

PUB (2)

RIW

CYS

BOU

GJT (2)

JKL

MPX

PAH

Nearly 70 volunteersMIA (Trainee)

MLB (Trainee)

HOU (Trainee)

HPC

SJT

RNK

MLB

MIA

TPA

Rotational shift workersA National Resource

Defined in the NWS Directive System and accepted by the National Wildfire Defined in the NWS Directive System and accepted by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG).Coordinating Group (NWCG).Final certification completed through a mixture of NWCG coursework, Final certification completed through a mixture of NWCG coursework, Workshop completion, objective task completion and supervisory approval.Workshop completion, objective task completion and supervisory approval.Conceptual models are still the basis of forecasting in complex terrain.Conceptual models are still the basis of forecasting in complex terrain.On-site incident responders vastly improve general forecasts!!On-site incident responders vastly improve general forecasts!!

ConceptsConcepts Approved TrainingApproved Training

IMET Role OverviewHow do you qualify?

Final CertificationFinal Certification

Like everything else, we start with the broad model output.Like everything else, we start with the broad model output.Unlike everything else, we apply conceptual knowledge of Unlike everything else, we apply conceptual knowledge of terrain + fuels and local observationsterrain + fuels and local observations

From here….From here…. To hereTo here

IMET Role OverviewConceptual Downscaling

IMET Role OverviewConceptual Downscaling

Where we Where we earn our keep!earn our keep!

Typical observed windsTypical observed winds

0 mph2 mph

2 mph16 mph

20 mph

IMET Role Overview

Verizon Wireless/BGANsVerizon Wireless/BGANsPIBALSPIBALSFX-NetFX-NetRAWS/Fire-RAWSRAWS/Fire-RAWS

IMET Role OverviewHow do we get data?

RAWS - REMOTE AUTOMATED WEATHER STATIONSRAWS - REMOTE AUTOMATED WEATHER STATIONS National or Local Service ContractsNational or Local Service Contracts

IMET Role OverviewHow do we get data?

Wind Speed – Wind Speed – Ten-minute averageTen-minute averagePrecipitation – Precipitation – Measured in increments of .01 inch for each hour. Measured in increments of .01 inch for each hour. Solar Panel – Solar Panel – Most stations operate on a battery, charged by a solar panel. Most stations operate on a battery, charged by a solar panel. Barometric PressureBarometric PressureFuel Moisture and Temperature – Fuel Moisture and Temperature – Fuel moisture and temperature are measured on some stations. Fuel moisture and temperature are measured on some stations. Soil Moisture – Soil Moisture – Soil moisture is measured on some stations. Soil moisture is measured on some stations. Wind Direction – Wind Direction – Ten-minute average wind direction. Ten-minute average wind direction. Air Temperature/Relative Humidity Air Temperature/Relative Humidity GOES Satellite Antenna – GOES Satellite Antenna – Data is transmitted either every hour or every three hours. Data is transmitted either every hour or every three hours. Data Collection Platform (DCP) or Data Logger – Data Collection Platform (DCP) or Data Logger – Data from all of the sensors are stored here. Data from all of the sensors are stored here.

http://www.fs.fed.us/raws/

Fire RAWS: HistoryFire RAWS: History

Pilot program started in 1980’sPilot program started in 1980’s Same sensor suite as network Same sensor suite as network

RAWS + fuel stickRAWS + fuel stick Same data distribution scheme as Same data distribution scheme as

network RAWSnetwork RAWS Integral, rugged packing cases Integral, rugged packing cases

developeddeveloped Radio Alarm function introduced Radio Alarm function introduced Over Over 300300 are already out in the are already out in the

fieldfield IMETs only use 42 cached units, IMETs only use 42 cached units,

dispatched with 2 techs. dispatched with 2 techs.

Interagency RAWS NetworkInteragency RAWS NetworkFire RAWS Data FlowFire RAWS Data Flow

ROMANWIMSWRCCASCADS

NOAA

NIFC Dispatch

NOAA/BLMInteragency

Users

GOES

Incident Management Team

RADIO ALARMS

ROMAN – ROMAN – Real-time, Observation Monitoring and Analysis NetworkReal-time, Observation Monitoring and Analysis Network

IMET Role OverviewHow do we get data?

http://raws.wrh.noaa.gov/roman/

Fire Behavior Analyst

IMET with FX-Net

FX-Net emulates the WFO AWIPS interface.

- 206 IMET dispatches last year

- All used FX-Net

-Diverse, spatially integrated atmospheric data are not available via any current Web page.

- Provides NWS office capabilities in the field.

IMET Role OverviewWhat do we deliver?

BriefingsBriefingsModel inputModel inputArea Command/Local ForecastsArea Command/Local ForecastsSafety and cost-savings!Safety and cost-savings!

IMET Role OverviewWhat do we deliver?

FARSITE Weather Stream8 12 0 600 1700 54 87 50 20 75008 13 0 600 1700 52 88 50 20 7500

National Interagency Fire CenterNational Interagency Fire CenterNOAA HazmatNOAA HazmatFEMA/DHSFEMA/DHSLocal Emergency ManagementLocal Emergency ManagementAustralia Bureau of Meteorology – Australia Bureau of Meteorology – Bushfire Cooperative Research Center Bushfire Cooperative Research Center http://www.bushfirecrc.com/http://www.bushfirecrc.com/

IMET Role OverviewAgency Interactions

NWS Jackson MIC Alan Gerard and forecaster Christopher Bannan in MECO wx ops area with Oktibbeha County EM Jim Britt

We Work in the Planning SectionWe Work in the Planning Section

IMET Role OverviewAgency Interactions

National Interagency AgreementNational Interagency AgreementFEMA National Response Framework, ESF-4FEMA National Response Framework, ESF-4FEMA Joint Field Office Mission AssignmentsFEMA Joint Field Office Mission Assignments

IMET Role OverviewAgency Interactions

ISS “Core” Training1) ICS 100, 2002) FEMA IS-7003) CAMEO/ALOHA4) HYSPLIT5) COMET – NWS support during

hazardous materials emergencies6) Media training7) SPOT forecasting proficiency

Fire Weather IMET Training1) ICS 3002) FEMA IS 8003) NWCG S-190, 290,3904) COMET 5915) IMET Task Book6) All-hazards Workshop7) Handling difficult situations8) Leadership course9) Aviation safety10) COMET complex terrain

courses

Marine ISS Training:1) ICS 3002) FEMA IS 8003) Water survival training4) Aviation safety5) HAZWOPER course6) All-hazards Workshop7) Emergency Spill Response8) Leadership course9) Handling difficult situations10) Tsunami response

Hydro ISS Training1) ICS 3002) FEMA IS 8003) HAZWOPER course4) All-hazards Workshop5) WHFS Course6) Leadership course7) AHPS Graphics8) COMET Flash Flooding

ISS Training for Other, Non-Fire Hazards:1) ICS 3002) FEMA IS 8003) IEM 130, 160, 180 and 1904) All-hazards Workshop5) Handling difficult situations6) Leadership course7) Aviation safety8) Supporting military emergency

response during hazardousreleases

Local ISS Specialties(part of core at select WFO’s):

1) Avalanche response2) Earthquake response3) Space weather hazards4) Tsunami response

IMET Role OverviewThe future IMET – Incident Support Specialist (ISS)