Service Area

and

Organizational Directory

Service Area

The service area covered by this AOP is the Lower Maryland and Virginia Eastern Shore, which is served by the National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office at Wakefield, VA (AKQ).

The forecast area is tied to the "radar coverage area" of the WSR-88D Doppler Radar in Sussex County, Virginia. The forecastable zones, incorporated in the daily Fire Weather Forecasts as well as the Fire Weather Watch and Red Flag Warning products, mirror the Political County and Independent City jurisdictions, rather than the larger USDA Forest Service regional fire weather zones

The following is a list of the USDA Forest Service Regional Zone Layouts, which fall within Wakefield's forecast area:

Maryland

         Zone 1 - Southern Section of Maryland on the Delmarva Peninsula including the Maryland Eastern Shores.

The following is a list of County and Independent City Jurisdictions which will fall within Wakefield=s area of responsibility after the transition.

Click Here for a Map Display of Wakefield County Zone Forecast Area.

National Weather Service Headquarters

NWS Headquarters, located in Silver Spring, Maryland, establishes policies and coordinates the national fire weather program. The national program manager coordinates the program with the regional program managers. The national program manager also works with the national headquarters of the Federal forestry and other natural resource management agencies and the Association of State Foresters in determining overall requirements for meteorological support. The national program manager coordinates national training in forestry and fire weather for NWS forecasters.

National Weather Service Regional Headquarters

Regional Headquarters manage the technical operational aspects of the fire weather program within each region. They also provide guidance and assistance to meteorologists-in-charge (MIC) on program operations and developing issues through Supplements to the National Directives System (NDS) and conferences. Regional Headquarters advise National Headquarters on matters pertaining to technical planning and operations. The regional program managers coordinate the regions' fire weather programs and advise the Regional Directors on the operational and administrative aspects of the regions' programs.

Weather Forecast Offices (WFO)

Weather Forecast Offices prepare and disseminate forecast products for all sectors of the population, including those for the Fire Weather program. These offices are responsible for providing forecasts for user agencies within their County Warning Area (CWA). Most offices have a designated fire weather focal point or fire weather program leader.

The National Weather Service Weather Forecast Offices will provide 24-hour, 365 days a year service. Forecasters are available for special forecasts or consultation, conditions permitting. No specific forecaster is dedicated to the fire weather products or services. During severe weather situations, forecasters may have to attend to other priorities. Extra staffing is typically available during administrative hours (8am to 4pm Monday through Friday). The Wakefield NWS WFO can be reached at:

NOAA/NWS Wakefield Weather Forecast Office
10009 General Mahone Hwy
Wakefield, VA 23888-2742

NOTE: Unlisted telephone numbers used for coordination cannot be listed here. All user agencies have been or will be provided voice and fax numbers to be used for official purposes only.

Meteorologists-in-Charge (MIC)

The Meteorologists-in-Charge is responsible for the provision of adequate weather services for the offices' assigned areas of program responsibility. The MIC will ensure that the focal points or program leaders are provided adequate time for user liaison and assistance activities. Current MIC:

Tony Siebers, Wakefield, VA (email)

Program Leaders (or Focal Points)

Fire weather focal points and program leaders are the "customer service representatives" for the program. The focal points or program leaders, as representatives of the MIC's, are in regular contact with the partner agencies, helping them assess their meteorological needs, informing them of NWS products and services available to meet these needs, and educating them in the most effective use of the various NWS products and resources, including NOAA Weather Radio (NWR). Focal points and program leaders will work with users to utilize existing NWS products and services produced for other programs that could meet the requirements of natural resource management. The focal points and program leaders are also tasked with ensuring staff meteorologists are trained and remain proficient in preparing forecast products for support of the fire weather program. Current Fire Weather Program Leader:

Brian Hurley, Wakefield, VA (email)

Participating Agencies

The following agencies are participants of this operating plan:

NOAA National Weather Service

USDA Forest Service

USDI National Park Service

USDI Fish and Wildlife Service

VA Division of Forestry

MD Department of Natural Resources

The following is a list of the US Fish and Wildlife Refuges within NWS Wakefields forecast region:

Blackwater NWR - Dorchester County, MD

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