Patrick AFB becomes National Weather Service StormReady site

Brig. Gen. Nina Armagno, 45th Space Wing commander, and members of the 45th Civil Engineer Squadron, accept a StormReady certification certificate from members of the National Weather Service, March 11, 2015, at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. National Weather Service officials recognized Patrick AFB as a StormReady site. The StormReady program helps community leaders and residents better prepare for hazardous weather and flooding. StormReady sites have made a strong commitment to implement the infrastructure and systems needed to save lives and protect property when severe weather strikes. (U.S. Air Force photo/Cory Long) (Released)

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Patrick AFB becomes National Weather Service StormReady site

Published March 18, 2015
By 45th Space Wing
Public Affairs

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Brig. Gen. Nina Armagno, 45th Space Wing commander, and members of the 45th Civil Engineer Squadron Readiness and Emergency Management Flight, accept a StormReady certification certificate from members of the National Weather Service, March 11, 2015, at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. National Weather Service officials recognized Patrick AFB as a StormReady site.

The StormReady program helps community leaders and residents better prepare for hazardous weather and flooding. StormReady sites have made a strong commitment to implement the infrastructure and systems needed to save lives and protect property when severe weather strikes.

"The StormReady program encourages communities to take a proactive approach to improving local hazardous weather operations and severe storm readiness in partnership with their local National Weather Service Office," said Scott Spratt, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, with the National Weather Service forecast office in Melbourne, Fla.

"StormReady will further enhance the strong partnership we have long enjoyed with U.S. Air Force meteorologists at the 45th Weather Squadron by also coordinating critical weather messaging and preparedness plans with base emergency management personnel."

To be recognized as StormReady, a site must maintain a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center; have more than one way to receive official severe weather warnings warnings and to alert the public; be able to monitor local weather and flood conditions; conduct community preparedness programs; and ensure hazardous weather and flooding are addressed in formal emergency management plans, which include training SKYWARN weather spotters and holding emergency exercises.