Introduction

Purpose of the AOP.

This Operating Plan serves as the official document governing the interaction and relationships between the National Weather Service, and the federal, state and local natural resource and land management agencies or cooperators in the Lower Maryland Eastern Shore.

Explanation of relationship between the AOP and MOU.

This Operating Plan is issued in lieu of a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the National Weather Service, federal, state, and other agencies that rely on fire weather support. The plan will outline forecast operations and services available to users. This includes products and formats, dissemination and coordination, and the responsibilities of the partners.

This Operating Plan will be the governing document for fire weather procedures and cooperation among the following agencies:

• NOAA National Weather Service
• USDA Forest Service
• USDI National Park Service
• USDI Fish and Wildlife Service
• MD Department of Natural Resources

The Southern Area Mobilization Guide and the National Mobilization Guide further define the relationship between the natural resource agencies and the NWS Incident Meteorologist.

This Operating Plan for Fire Weather Services conforms with the Interagency Agreement for Meteorological Services.