Ready, SET, Go; Organizing and Hosting a Service Equity Teams Conference to Better Understand At Risk Communities

With an increased frequency and more extreme nature of hazardous weather events across the United States, it is now crucial that we ensure life-saving weather information is reaching all members of all communities. This is particularly important for those with limited English proficiency, individuals with disabilities, persons with limited internet access, families who are living in low-income housing, our unhoused neighbors, senior citizens, and numerous others. Communities like these who have been historically underserved and underrepresented must be at the forefront of weather safety and preparedness initiatives. The Indianapolis National Weather Service Forecast Office (NWS WFO IND) has approached this call to action by inviting a diverse group of community representatives and government organizations to a full day conference to discuss how the local NWS office can better serve, engage and communicate with at-risk communities. Modeled after the successful NWS Integrated Warning Team (IWT) concept, the Service Equity Team (SET) will comprise community organizations along with local, state and federal agencies that will meet at least annually to have conversations about how to work together to improve weather preparedness and safety messaging toward those who may be especially at risk. By offering up a seat at the table and walking in with open minds, we are allowing trusted community advocates the space to express their concerns and propose solutions to the gaps in communication we have seen in the past. NWS offices, as well as the entire weather enterprise, have the ability and responsibility to champion this effort and be active members in each community to improve equitable weather messaging that will ultimately save lives across the country. This presentation will outline the steps needed to contact, engage and bring together organizations and core partners (Ready); tips and best practices for organizing and hosting a SET conference; and suggested protocols and methods for engaging a diverse audience, including the use of in-person and virtual ASL interpreters (Go!). Overall results, including areas identified as needing changes or updates, improved communications, messaging and feedback from the first conference hosted by NWS Indianapolis in August, 2024 will be shown.