USER SERVICES PROGRAM
Table of Contents
1. Purpose
2. Organization
3. Roles of User Service Officials
3.1 REGUS REP
3.2 Chief, Operations; Regional Climatologist; Regional Hydrologist
3.3 STATUS REP
3.4 SALO
3.5 State Climatologist
3.6 Meteorologist-in-Charge
3.7 Regional Specialists
4. Documentation of Assignments
5. Reports
* * * * *
1. Purpose. It is the policy of the Weather Bureau to provide user-oriented services and to be responsive, within available resources, to new and changing requirements for such services. The User Services Program gives substance to this policy by providing for:
a. liaison with user groups so that information on our services and products and their requirements is exchanged,
b. the evaluation of services from the users' point of view, and
c. the representation of their needs to management.
For the purposes of this program "user" includes all recipients of Weather Bureau services. However, this chapter deals principally with services other than aviation. A detailed discussion of aviation user service activities is contained in Chapter D-91.
2. Organization. Overall responsibility for the User Services Program is vested in the Director, Weather Bureau. The Associate Director, Meteorological Operations, provides staff assistance for all meteorological services; the Associate Director, Hydrology has the same responsibility for hydrologic services. The Director, Environmental Data Service, who has functional management responsibility for climatological programs, collaborates with the Director, Weather Bureau, in the area of climatology. At the ESSA level, the Chief, User Affairs Group, under the Assistant Administrator for Plans and Programs, provides a national focus for all user services, except aviation. Aviation activities are the concern of the Director, Aviation Affairs, ESSA.
The Regional Directors are responsible for the field program. In most regions a full-time Regional User Services Representative (REGUS REP) is assigned to provide direct staff assistance. The regional organization, unlike that in Washington, recognizes three user groups, i.e., aviation, climatological, and all other services (meteorological and hydrologic are combined).
3. Roles of User Services Officials. The roles of the REGUS REP (3.1); Chief, Operations, Regional Climatologist, Regional Hydrologist (3.2); State User Service Representative (STATUS REP)(3.3); State Aviation Liaison Official (SALO) (3.4); State Climatologist (3.5); Meteorologist-in-Charge (3.6); and Regional Specialists (3.7) are discussed in this section.
3.1 REGUS REP. The REGUS REP, where assigned, assists in the evaluation of the types and depth of service required, furnished or planned for all public, hydrologic, and specialized services. External to the Weather Bureau, he is expected to work closely with various local, state, and federal agencies; with the general public; and with interests in such areas as agriculture, forestry, marine, air pollution, and hydrology. Within the Weather Bureau, the REGUS REP is expected to work closely with STATUS REP's, SALO's, MIC's, HIC's, AAM's, State Climatologists, and other regional officials, particularly the Chief, Operations Division, the Regional Hydrologist,and the Regional Climatologist. Note that for REGUS REP type duties,the Aviation Service Operations Meteorologist of the Operations Division generally assumes the lead role in the aviation area (see D-91). Representing the Regional Director, the REGUS REP normally performs the following functions on a regional basis:
a. Serves as the focal point for coordinating meetings and conferences with user groups.
b. Acquaints users with methods for making fullest use of available services and with limitations in the state-of-the-art.
c. Evaluates, from the users' point of view, the services rendered.
d. Seeks to obtain satisfaction of valid service requirements placed upon the region by user groups.
e. Assists with the development of service plans and programs.
f. Participates in surveys and analyses of weather-caused disasters, when appropriate.
3.2 Chief Operations; Regional Climatologist; Regional Hydrologist. The Chief, Operations, the Regional Climatologist, and the Regional Hydrologist are primarily concerned with the technical management of field services. They do not have any explicit responsibilities under the User Services Program (with the exception of Chief, Operations for Aviation Services as mentioned in 3.1 above) other than to be responsive, where possible, to valid service requirements.
3.3 STATUS REP. The STATUS REP, as time and opportunities permit, is responsible at the state level for the evaluation and coordination of hydrologic user services and meteorological user services, except aviation. In many states the STATUS REP also serves as the State Aviation Liaison Official (SALO). STATUS REP's report to the Regional Director (or practically speaking, for most contacts, the REGUS REP) for all services involving information or inquiries concerning new or changing requirements for user services, evaluation of services and suggestions for improving services. The STATUS REP's responsibilities at the state level are similar to those of the REGUS REP at the regional level.
STATUS REP's are encouraged to develop and maintain liaison contacts with state department heads and elected officials. The better understanding which comes from such contacts contributes to more effective cooperation between the Weather Bureau and state governments. Where specialized service program leaders have responsibility for liaison with state officials, the STATUS REP should defer to them in their respective program areas. However, the specialized program leaders should keep the STATUS REP informed of significant activities.
The STATUS REP will usually be located at or near the state capital. However, portions of his responsibilities may be delegated, with the approval of the Regional Director, to other offices in the State in order to achieve better rapport with one or more specific user groups.
3.4 SALO. The State Aviation Liaison Official (SALO) is responsible for evaluation and coordination of Aviation Services at the state level (see D-91).
3.5 State Climatologist. The State Climatologist is responsible for the evaluation and coordination of climatological services at the state level. The State Climatologist's role in his functional area parallels the roles of the STATUS REP and SALO in their areas. His duties will be covered in more detail in Part F at a later date.
3.6 Meteorologist-in-Charge. Each MIC, as time and opportunities permit, is responsible for developing and maintaining liaison with user groups and government leaders throughout his area of county warning responsibility and in connection with the various service programs assigned. In the course of this liaison, the MIC works closely with the REGUS REP (3.1), STATUS REP (3.3), SALO (3.4), State Climatologist (3.5), and appropriate specialized program leaders (3.7). In addition, the MIC should coordinate with various regional headquarters officials, other than the REGUS REP, as appropriate.
3.7 Regional Specialists. Regional specialists such as advisory agricultural meteorologists, marine supervisors, hydrologists-in-charge, and fire weather meteorologists play an important User Services role in their particular areas. They should work closely with the other officials named above.
4. Documentation of Assignments. Each region will keep current a Regional Operations Manual Letter documenting the current list of STATUS REP and SALO assignments within the region (see Chapter A-01 for Weather Bureau Headquarters distribution of this directive).
5. Reports. Each Regional Director will submit an annual User Service Program progress report for all service areas, except aviation, to the Director, Weather Bureau, on or about January 15 each year, with copies to Associate Director3 Meteorological Operations; Associate Director, Hydrology; Director of Field Services, EDS; and Chief, User Affairs Group, Assistant Administrator for Plans and Programs, ESSA (see D-91 for Aviation Weather Service reporting procedures). Any reporting requirements within the region are to be established by the Regional Director.
WBOM Issuance
68-13 6-3-68