Expanding Emergency Communications Resources across NWS Western Region to Support Continuity of Operations and IDSS

In response to findings from the FEMA Region X led Cascadia Rising Exercise in 2016 simulating a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami across the Pacific Northwest, the National Weather Service (NWS) Western Region (WR) began to take actions to expand emergency communications across the Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs), Center Weather Service Units (CWSUs) and River Forecast Centers (RFCs) in the western U.S. With the potential for catastrophic natural disasters across the western U.S. and resulting loss of traditional communications, emergency communications are needed for Continuity of Operations and provision of Impact Based Decision Support Services. This presentation will highlight the current emergency communications mechanisms in place along with future plans to expand.