Prescott Dispatch and the National Weather Service: A Partnership made in Impact-Based Decision Support Services

Impact-based decision support services (IDSS) are becoming increasingly in high demand to aid core partners, such as emergency managers, to effectively mitigate the loss of life and property due to hazardous weather. In 2013, the Yarnell Hill Fire caused the death of 19 firefighters before an IMET was able to arrive to provide support. As a result of this tragedy, the National Weather Service Flagstaff, AZ (NWS FGZ) has been tasked with providing on-site support to the Prescott Dispatch Center (PDC) in Prescott, AZ. PDC is the communications and logistical support center for wildland firefighting operations in central and western AZ. With on-site subject matter experts, officials at the PDC have the ability to make both tactical and strategic decisions. These decisions can range from continuing prescribed burning operations to implementing tactics to combat any wildland fires in their area of responsibility. These decisions are often based on critical weather intelligence, such as relative humidity levels, rain and thunderstorms chances, storm movement (including direction and strength of outflow winds), and includes information on expected aviation hazards. This presentation will focus on the benefits such a partnership provides to both the NWS FGZ and the PDC and how this unique partnership and opportunity can be of use to others across the agency.