Extended Abstract (608K)7.3
OK-FIRST: The Oklahoma Example of Preparedness to Mitigate the Human Impacts of Severe Storms
Dale A. Morris, Oklahoma Climatolgical Survey and University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK; and K. A. Kloesel
Through the 1990s, much attention was focused on mitigating the impacts of natural disasters. Initiatives like the U.N.’s International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, FEMA’s Project Impact, and the NWS’ StormReady program have illustrated the importance of involving stakeholders in public safety from federal agencies through the local community level. Effective disaster mitigation programs require access to quality weather information, effective communication with the meteorological community and adequate training for local officials. The Oklahoma Climatological Survey has operated a program, known as OK-FIRST, since 1996 that has trained hundreds of local officials. OK-FIRST has provided customized access to real-time weather information to make the officials more conversant with the meteorological community and encouraged local officials to become proactive rather than reactive when dealing with weather-impacted situations. This paper will briefly describe the OK-FIRST program and will provide anecdotal evidence of successful mitigation of impacts of severe storms achieved through OK-FIRST.
Session 7, Hazard Mitigation and Societal Impacts of Severe Storms
Tuesday, 13 August 2002, 4:30 PM-5:45 PM
Previous paper Next paper