Introduction to the NWS Community Engagement Roadmap

The NOAA Service Equity Assessments (2021) identified barriers that prevent historically underserved socially vulnerable communities (HUSVC) from receiving and acting upon weather information and warnings. People and place (e.g., particular geographies) influence community responses to severe weather (Steinberg, 2016), and are central to every community being able to take advantage of the valuable weather information, forecasts, warnings, and Impact-Based Decision Support Services (IDSS) to protect their lives and property. In addition to forecasts and warnings, more community-based external engagement is needed to ensure communities are ready, responsive, and resilient to extreme weather, water, and climate events (NWS, 2023).

This follows the NWS charge for service equity to account for the unique needs and features of each community, and adapt operational, education, and outreach services accordingly (NWS, 2023). Based on the NWS Service Equity Priority Actions, the Community Engagement Working Group was established to support the transformation of the NWS. By drafting a strategic roadmap, the working group has chartered a new path on how the NWS thinks about and conducts community engagement. This presentation will present the new strategic roadmap to include the NWS vision and mission, goals and objectives, and anticipated outcomes for its community engagement program. It will showcase how the NWS continues to strive to provide equitable service to all the communities it serves and offer an opportunity for feedback and collaboration.