Diverse Partners and Diverse Simulations: NWSTC Revamps Their IDSS Boot Camp to Improve Hazardous Weather Communication Training

Participants in the newly revised Impact-based Decision Support Services (IDSS) Deployment Boot Camp hit the ground running as soon as they walk into the National Weather Service Training Center (NWSTC). Applying knowledge from the online training, participants practice multiple communication skills while receiving valuable feedback & coaching. By the end of the week, facilitators formally assess the participants’ communication skills as they deal with diverse situations during hazardous weather.

Following the release of the online Professional Development Series for IDSS, NWSTC revamped their IDSS Boot Camp with non-stop simulations, exercises, and drills.

One of the biggest strengths of this training is the use of NWS field experts and local emergency managers, law enforcement officials, and other real-world partners. The training focuses on different types of hazardous weather and communication challenges such as conveying confidence, consistency, and working with different personality types.

With NWS deployments on the rise for significant weather and planned events, this critical training furthers our agency’s goal to help build a Weather-Ready Nation.