Emergency Management Department
Director: Marvin Klug
Stearns County Skywarn
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The following "Skywarn Standard Operating Procedures" is the operating document for Stearns County Skywarn Weather Spotters. Skywarn programs wishing to adopt its format should take care to adapt it to their program. As with any plan it's subject to revision as needed.
- Plan Overview
- Notification Procedures
- Skywarn Spotter Procedures
- Guidelines for Weather Net
- Checking Off the Net
- Net Control Procedures
- Skywarn Net Test Procedures
- ATTACHMENT A -- Known Spotter Locations
- ATTACHMENT B -- Supply Bag
- ATTACHMENT C -- Pager Policy and Codes
- Weather Watches/Warnings
Pagers* will be activated by dispatch personnel when the National Weather Service (NWS) issues weather watches/warnings for Stearns County.Net Control personnel, as outlined in "Personnel Approved to Activate Pagers," will meet on 147.105 and decide who will be sent to the E.O.C. to establish Net Control. Operators for Non-Amateur radio and Amateur radio will report to the E.O.C.
The Emergency Services Net Control will be activated and spotters will be requested. If there are not enough check-ins for the event then notification will continue using the call tree.
- Request for National Weather Service Assistance
Pagers will be activated by dispatch personnel when the N.W.S. or the Emergency Services Director requests skywarn spotters to be sent out to monitor a severe weather situation.Net Control personnel, as outlined in "Personnel Approved to Activate Pagers," will meet on 147.105 and decide who will be sent to the E.O.C. to establish Net Control. Operators for Citizens Band radio and Amateur radio will report to the E.O.C.
The Emergency Services Net will be activated and spotters will be requested. If there are not enough check-ins for the event then notification will continue using the call tree.
*Pager codes and the policy are included in Attachment "C."
- tornado
- funnel cloud
- wall cloud (confirmed or suspected)
- hail (give diameter)
- winds in excess of 45 mph (causing small tree branches to break or other ground debris)
- significant heavy rains or flooding.
- Confirm locations of those spotters and make corrections as needed.
- Assign spotters to pre-designated spotter locations, or to "hot spots."
- Coordinate spotter positions with other county/city agencies.
- radar description
- storm history
- estimate the time the storm will enter Stearns County
- Stearns County Skywarn Plan
- Flip Chart Standard Operating Procedures
- County Map
- Safety Vest
- Flashlight
- Extra Batteries
- National Weather Service Guide Book
- Photo ID
- Rear View Mirror Identification
- Pencil
- Note Pad
- Field glasses if possible
- Rain gear
- Gloves
- Overshoes
- 01.....Skywarn Activation, Go To Skywarn Radio for Check-in, and Assignment To Spotter Points By Net Control.
- 02.....Standby -- Weather Watch; Increased Risk. Net Control May Be Activated
- 03.....National Weather Service Requesting Spotters. Net Control May Be Activated
- 04.....Standby -- Weather Watch
- 09.....Go To Skywarn Radio For An Announcement or Weekly Net
- 10.....Skywarn Activation Or Standby Is Closed
Skywarn Emergency Communications Plan
These standard operating procedures are intended to provide for the proper receipt and dissemination of all weather related warning notifications. They provide procedures to observe severe weather, and disseminate weather warnings to the general public within the jurisdictional areas of Stearns County, and to ensure that immediate action is taken to minimize the effects of an impending or actual disaster.
Amateur Radio Emergency Services (A.R.E.S.), and R.E.A.C.T. are organizations that provide Stearns County with volunteer Skywarn weather spotter support. A.R.E.S., and R.E.A.C.T. volunteers are Skywarn trained by the National Weather Service, and capable of providing detailed information concerning severe weather.
Notification Procedures
The Spotter Pagers will be activated by dispatch personnel for the following events and daily to test the spotter pagers.
Skywarn Spotters Procedures / Guidelines
When net control is established spotters will be asked to check in to the Emergency Services Net. Please wait until asked to do so. After logging into the Net, spotters will be asked to go to either their pre- designated spotter locations or to "hot spot" areas.
Every attempt will be made to assign two spotters to each spotter location. New spotters will be assigned to observe weather with a "seasoned" spotter.
Have your Skywarn supply bag packed and ready. See Attachment B for contents of supply bag.
Procedure for Spotter Check In:
Skywarn Weather Spotters will relay all weather information to the EOC Net Control using radio frequency 147.105. If the repeater is inoperable, frequency 146.940 will be used, or 146.835 with a pl tone of 85.4, or 146.460 simplex.
When the telephone is your only communications method, contact an alternative HAM operator to relay your message or call the Net Control at (telephone number omitted)
Weather reports obtained from non-certified Skywarn participants will be labeled "unconfirmed" when reported to the NWS or the EOC Net Control.
When Net Control asks for check in of spotters:
- Give your call sign
Spotter number
Present location (grid square location or area of city)
State of readiness
**NOTE** READY MEANS THAT YOU ARE PREPARED AND CAN BE MOBILE IN UNDER 5 MINUTES.
Example Format: "WBOSHB, THIS IS WOMXW, NW ST. CLOUD, SPOTTER #5, I'M READY AND STANDING BY."
If operating a radio with less than 25 watts output, make sure to inform the net control. You will be asked to stay in closer.
If you are not ready, do not check in until others that are ready have done so. This ensures we get spotters heading toward their assigned locations as soon as possible.
Guidelines for Participating in a Skywarn Weather Net:
Have your grid map in your vehicle. Use binoculars if available to aid distant viewing of weather activity.
Report immediately to net control any of the following conditions:
Note the direction and distance from your grid location, also movement and speed. Give exact time of the observation.
Report at other times only when called or when it is necessary to change location. This will help keep the net clear of unnecessary chatter. Keep transmissions short, especially if you have nothing significant to report. Another spotter may have emergency traffic to report and won't be able to if the repeater is busy. Wait for the courtesy beep on all routine transmissions.
The public is monitoring our transmissions, so be concise, stay calm, and speak clearly. This will help the net control avoid asking you to repeat your message. Net control will always repeat your message for your QSL.
When traveling to your observation site, spotters will obey all traffic laws. Take a position safely off the road. Use your hazard flashers. Be aware of your surroundings, overhead power lines or trees could come down on your vehicle. Have more than one escape route if possible. Seek shelter should imminent danger threaten and notify net control if possible of your situation/emergency.
Report storm damage to Net Control. This could be buildings, downed power lines, fires, street flooding, vehicle accidents, fallen trees blocking traffic, or any other life threatening emergency. Assist only if requested, don't become part of the problem.
When calling net control, be aware that he/she is also performing other duties and may not respond immediately. For example, the Net Control may be finding out the locations of spotters from county fire departments and Gold Cross Ambulance. If Net Control does not respond immediately, wait one (1) minute and try again. During critical situations, do not wait. Stay calm and state "This is Spotter Location Number _______, I have an emergency, net controls please acknowledge." Net Control will always acknowledge your transmission as soon as possible.
Checking Off the Net
Make sure to CHECK-OUT with Net Control when leaving the weather Net either temporarily or permanently. You are very important to us. DO NOT LEAVE THE WEATHER NET UNTIL NET CONTROL HAS VERIFIED WITH YOU THAT YOU ARE SECURED AND SAFE! We want all of our spotters to return home safely!
Net Control Procedures / Guidelines
When SKYWARN spotters are requested, Net Control may be started from one of the controllers' homes before establishing Net Control at the E.O.C.. This person uses their own call sign and informs the Net of the approaching weather situation. They will also take check-ins of spotters and dispatch to locations needed.
Acknowledge every report and check with spotters on a regular basis as the situation permits. During lull periods, net control will give status or at least state that a weather net is active on the frequency every few minutes.
Net Control Operations Will:
Take over the net from the home station (if one was used) when set up and ready. The home net control will relay call signs, spotter numbers and approximate location of spotters already on their way to assigned areas.
Determine if more spotters are needed. Take those spotters standing by and dispatch them as needed. Take additional check-ins of spotters if required for further coverage or if recovery operations are initiated in the aftermath of the event, such as a tornado that has caused damage.
Relay reports of severe weather to dispatch, local media, and the National Weather Service.
Acknowledge every report and check with spotters on a regular basis as the situation permits.
During extended lull periods, net control will identify the frequency is secured for a weather emergency, and give status of current weather to include:
During net operations, should the 147.105 repeater become unusable for any reason, the Net will switch frequency to the 146.940 repeater.
If either frequency is non-operable, use cellular phones to reach Net Control (320-259-3961).
Skywarn Net Test Procedures
A Skywarn R.A.C.E.S. Emergency Net is held on each Sunday of the week at 8:45 - 8:50 p.m. local time using frequency 147.105 Mhz. Once a year a RACES Simulated Emergency Test, and a simulated Skywarn Weather Spotter emergency will be conducted.
Skywarn Pager Test Procedures
Pager tests will be conducted on the first Wednesday of the month at 1:00 p.m. Once the pager has been activated, contact your Skywarn Partner, and then check in on 147.105 to confirm you received the page, or call Net Control.
ATTACHMENT A: Known Good Locations for Spotters
The following is a list of known good locations for STEARNS County severe weather spotting.
(locations omitted)
ATTACHMENT B: Supply Bag
Having a bag packed with supplies to complete your mission as a Skywarn Weather Spotter is prudent planning. It will help you provide accurate weather information, and provide for your safety and comfort. Therefore, we recommend the following items be placed in a satchel for use in your vehicle when spotting severe weather.
ATTACHMENT C: Pager Policy
Pagers are issued by Stearns County Emergency Services for the sole purpose of quick activation of the Skywarn Weather Spotter Network. They will be issued to key Skywarn Weather Spotters who are responsible for the keeping the batteries charged and the pager in good repair. Replacement of lost or damaged pagers are the sole responsibility of the person they are issued to. Stearns County Emergency Services will keep records of serial numbers of pagers, users and their phone numbers.
The Stearns County Emergency Services will pay all rental charges for the pagers.
Pagers will be activated for nine months of the year (March-November).
Pagers will have two numbers assigned to them. One for "group call" that activates the Skywarn Weather Spotter Network. The second number is for general use paging.
Pagers will be assigned to Net Control Officers, those near critical spotter observation points, and those spotters who actively participate on the Skywarn Weather Spotter Network. At the end of each storm season, a committee will review log sheets to determine who will be assigned pagers.
Skywarn Pager Codes
The following are pager codes and their meanings.