Innovative Communication Utilizing Multimedia Weather Briefings

DEREK R. DEROCHENOAA / NWS, Weather Forecast Office, Pleasant Hill, MissouriSCOTT F. BLAIRNOAA / NWS, Weather Forecast Office, Topeka, KansasANDY J. BAILEYNOAA / NWS, Weather Forecast Office, Pleasant Hill, Missouri

What is a Multimedia Briefing?A short recorded video which incorporates graphics, audio, and text informationEnables forecasters to explain the why of the upcoming situation as well as forecast concerns, confidence, uncertainty.Not only a data provider but a data interpreter

Purpose and BenefitsUtilize new and existing technology to disseminate our message. Provides a means of easily gathering relevant information in different ways (visual, auditory, etc). One-stop overview of the most important weather informationCan be used as a supplement to normal conference calls or GoTo Meeting briefingsAvailable at the listeners convenience

Initial ConceptNice job with the easy to understand graphics. Appreciate the attempt to provide timing of the developing system as well as defining what will be the major threats. Blogged about this product its quite informative and very cool.First implemented by WFOs Medford, OR and San Angelo, TX

Target AudienceEmergency Managers / Spotters / First RespondersGroups/businesses responsible for patron or public safetyAnyone making plans affected by weather (personal / business)Teachers/students/mediaa wide-ranging audience!

Included in a BriefingFinal decision is up to the shift Whats most important?Upcoming significant weather what / when / wherethe big pictureA bit of the whyin laymans termsWhere the forecast could changeSafety reminders

Creating A BriefingCreate graphics from FXC, GIS or use existing web graphics (SPC, HPC, etc.)Import graphics into a web browser, Powerpoint, Articulatejust a few slides Record Audio using Camtasia, Articulate, etc.

Send it to the web

Example Briefing

Multimedia Briefing Survey CompilationWFOs: Kansas City, San Angelo, Birmingham, Houston, Lake CharlesOn a scale of 0 to 10 (10 highest), rate technical quality of this product/service (e.g., forecast accuracy, timeliness, problems with display). (748 responses)

Chart1

8

2

4

0

2

12

9

38

130

157

381

Responses

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RatingResponses

08

12

24

30

42

512

69

738

8130

9157

10381

Multimedia Briefing Survey CompilationWFOs: Kansas City, San Angelo, Birmingham, Houston, Lake CharlesOn a scale of 0 to 10 (10 highest), rate how easy you found the product/service to interpret and use. (747 responses)

Chart1

5

4

3

1

4

7

6

20

65

131

487

Responses

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RatingResponses

05

14

23

31

44

57

66

720

865

9131

10487

Multimedia Briefing Survey CompilationWFOs: Kansas City, San Angelo, Birmingham, Houston, Lake CharlesHow often do you use this product/service? (748 responses)

Chart1

106

201

64

47

79

45

141

54

Responses

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RatingResponses

Several/Day106

Daily201

Several/Week64

Weekly47

Ocassion79

Seasonal45

Other141

Not Provided54

Multimedia Briefing Survey CompilationWFOs: Kansas City, San Angelo, Birmingham, Houston, Lake CharlesDo you feel it is appropriate for NWS to provide this product/service? (748 responses)

Chart1

590

11

40

Responses

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RatingResponses

Yes590

No11

Not Provided40

Multimedia Briefing Survey CompilationWFOs: Kansas City, San Angelo, Birmingham, Houston, Lake CharlesWhat is your affiliation? (748 responses)

Chart1

328

106

80

35

21

19

17

13

11

5

66

47

Responses

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RatingResponses

Individual328

State/Local Gov't106

Business/Industry80

Student/Teacher35

Unversity Faculty21

Other Federal Gov't19

News/Media17

Unversity Student13

NOAA11

Other Research Institute5

Other66

Not Provided47

Comments/Responses

-The web briefing has been extremely beneficial to multiple entities within Douglas County. Keep up the good work!!! Teri Smith Director Douglas County Emergency Management

-Id like to congratulate everyone who put this together and did the narration very well done! Very useful for amateurs like myself. Mary Rack Professor, Mathematics, JCCC-I can say that this will work very well for our needs as it tells us the latest information that you have available and can be updated and reviewed as we have time. I like this format! Mike Irwin Assistant Chief Lee's Summit Missouri Fire Dept.-I found the information very informative. I sent the information to several schools that are planning weekend actives. Thanks great tool. Charles (Chuck) Magaha Coordinator Leavenworth County Emergency Management

Integrating Into Your OfficeTime and patience!A team approachinvolving staffEarly experimental briefings done by team or small groupShare feedback from customers with staffIn-house training/practice with short briefingsEventually becomes a shift dutySafety Seagull says Teamwork is Important

Future Plans

Thank YouSpecial Thanks to:Patrick Mccullough (WFO SJT)Amy Mccullough (WFO SJT)Scott Overpeck (WFO HGX)Jonathan Brazzell (WFO LCH)