Partnerships in the Western Carolinas and Northeast Georgia GSP Integrated Warning Team 2024 Virtual Workshop

When is the next Integrated Warning Team (IWT) meeting?

Tuesday, April 30th 2024, Time: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM EDT

In-Person Registration: 2024 IWT Registration

Virtual Registration via Go to Webinar: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1726004995114034270

Webinar ID: 779-465-875

Where will the 2024 IWT Meeting be held?

The Spartanburg County Emergency Operations Center in Spartanburg, SC

Address: 175 Community College Dr Spartanburg, SC 29303

2024 Meeting Agenda

• Introduction by Steve Wilkinson (MIC)

  • 9:00am to 9:05am

• NWS Service Equity and Community Engagement by Trisha Palmer and Ashley Rehnberg

• • 9:05am to 9:20am

• Reaching Vulnerable Populations - Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communities by Christiaan Patterson

  • 9:20am to 10:05am

• Update and Review of NWS Products by Trisha Palmer

  • 10:05am to 10:35am

• Feedback on DSS Briefings by Jake Wimberley

  • 10:35am to 10:45am

• Break

  • 10:45am to 11:00am 

• Review of NWS Tropical and Flood Products by Clay Chaney

  • 11:00am to 11:45am

• BBQ Lunch Provided by Spartanburg Emergency Management

  • 11:45am to 12:45pm

• Messaging Forecast Confidence by Jake Wimberley

  • 12:45pm to 1:10pm

• Review of the HWO/GHWO and Proposed Simplification by Thomas Winesett

  • 1:10pm to 1:45pm

• Break

  • 1:45pm to 2:00pm

• A Look Back at the January 9th 2024 Severe Weather and Flooding Event with Panel Discussion to Follow by Thomas Winesett

  • 2:00 pm to 3:15pm

  • Panel Discussion with Emergency Managers from Catawba, Gaston and Greenville Counties

• Closing Remarks

  • 3:15pm to 3:30pm

Questions? Please contact Ashley Rehnberg at ashley.rehnberg@noaa.gov or Trisha Palmer at trisha.palmer@noaa.gov

Why have an IWT?

Post-event studies of high-impact weather events have shown that coordinated actions of an IWT play an important role in achieving a favorable public response.  Bringing NWS, EMs, and broadcast media together with other partners in the same room to discuss best practices and challenges not only lays the foundation for improved relationships between members of the IWT, but helps us to all understand how the public we serve responds to our services.

Presentations from Past Integrated Warning Team Meetings

• 2022 Virtual Integrated Warning Team
• 2021 Virtual Integrated Warning Team
• 2019 Spartanburg Integrated Warning Team
• 2018 Asheville Integrated Warning Team
• 2016 Charlotte Integrated Warning Team

What is an Integrated Warning Team (IWT)?

An IWT is an ad-hoc “team” of people/entities who are involved in the preparedness and response to high-impact weather event. 

An IWT Workshop is a meeting of IWT team members to discuss best practices, challenges, and ways to improve preparedness and response, and specifically to disseminate a unified message during severe/high-impact weather events.

Who is part of an IWT?

An IWT primarily consists of the National Weather Service (NWS), Emergency Management (EM) (local, state, and federal) and broadcast media. 

The IWT also includes (though is not necessarily limited to) school/university officials, first responders, transportation officials (ground and air), healthcare officials/organizations, power companies, forestry and agricultural groups, the U.S. Geological Survey, amateur radio operators, officials with large event/outdoor venues, and private companies (especially those involved with weather, safety/security, and emergency management).  Again, anyone involved in the preparedness and response to high impact weather.