The GSP forecast area covers much of western North Carolina. The western North Carolina counties covered by WFO GSP (Greenville - Spartanburg, SC) include:
The ILM forecast area covers southeast North Carolina. The southeast North Carolina counties covered by WFO ILM (Wilmington, NC) include:
The MHX forecast area covers eastern North Carolina. The eastern North Carolina counties covered by WFO MHX (Morehead City, NC) include:
The MRX forecast area covers southwest North Carolina, and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park portion of Haywood and Swain Counties. The southwest North Carolina counties covered by WFO MRX (Morristown, TN) include:
The RAH forecast area covers central North Carolina. The central North Carolina counties covered by WFO RAH (Raleigh, NC) include:
The RNK forecast area covers northwest North Carolina. The northwest North Carolina counties covered by WFO RNK (Blacksburg, VA) include:
National Weather Service HeadquartersNWS 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. (TOP)National Weather Service Regional HeadquartersRegional 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. (TOP)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 and Forecast Area (CWFA). 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. The NWS WFO's can be reached at:
Blacksburg Weather Forecast Office
National Weather Service
National Weather Service
National Weather Service
National Weather Service
National Weather Service
National Weather Service 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. (TOP)Meteorologists-in-Charge (MIC)The Meteorologists-in-Charge are responsible for the provision of adequate weather services for the offices' assigned areas of program responsibility. The MIC's will ensure that the focal points or program leaders are provided adequate time for user liaison and assistance activities.
Michael Caropolo, Wilmington, NC
Darin Figurskey, Raleigh, NC
Larry Gabric, Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
Thomas Kriehn, Morehead City, NC
George Mathews, Morristown, TN
Tony Siebers, Wakefield, VA
Dave Wert, Blacksburg, VA 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. Fire Program Leaders can be reached via e-mail on their NWS office fire weather homepage.
Phil Badgett (phillip.badgett@noaa.gov), Raleigh, NC
David Gaffin (david.gaffin@noaa.gov), Morristown, TN
Larry Brown (larry.brown@noaa.gov), Wakefield, VA
Phil Manuel (phillip.manuel@noaa.gov), Blacksburg, VA
Jim Merrell (james.merrell@noaa.gov), Morehead City, NC
Ron Steve (ronald.steve@noaa.gov), Wilmington, NC
John Tomko (john.tomko@noaa.gov), Greenville-Spartanburg, SC Participating AgenciesThe following agencies are participants of this operating plan:
USDI National Park Service. NOAA National Weather Service Nature Conservancy NC Division of Forest Resources US Army - Fort Bragg US Army - Sunny Point Military Ocean Terminal US Marine Corps - Camp Lejeune US Air Force - Dare County Bomb Range US Fish and Wildlife Service US Forest Service USDI Bureau of Indian Affairs NC Wildlife Resources Commission NC Division of Parks & Recreation (TOP) |