Question from John Pine:
It seems that you see that current Internet access to weather information for planning purposes is available - however, in a response effort data sources on the Internet could be flooded with "hits" on the web and thus not available to the emergency manager. In addition, I believe that you see that the weather data may be cluttered along with other weather data from a specific web site - thus giving too much information for the decision maker. More importantly, access to you and the SRCC and staff to ask questions and get your opinions is what is needed along with very specific weather information that changes as an event progresses. Data needs change during an event. If my observations above are correct - what possible organizational arrangements could be created with public agencies to provide the more specific weather information needed (by state or local officials) and more importantly allow the official an opportunity to ask for your opinions and observations?

Response from: Kevin Robbins
Director Southern Regional Climate Center Louisiana State University  krobbins@mistral.srcc.lsu.edu

Your observations concerning my presentation are correct. In regards to what organizational arrangements can be made, it is difficult to answer in a general sense. It depends on the type of emergency. But, I can suggest that 'prior to any type of event' an emergency manager should preposition his climate resources by contracting for domain-specific weather and climate information and arranging for 'on-demand' services from a professional(s). This may be a university weather domain expert, a State Climatologist, or a private sector domain expert. The expert may differ by type of emergency. You may want to call on someone for hurricanes, someone else for chemical releases, and someone else for flooding. Or, build teams that know their responsibilities in particular events. The ability to build teams will vary from state to state.