Tornado & Severe Weather Spotter Seminar
Franklin County -- March 16, 2002

On March 16, 2002, the Franklin County Emergency Management Agency along with the National Weather Service - Wilmington and The Central Ohio Severe Weather Network (COSWN) sponsored a Tornado and Severe Weather Spotter Seminar.  The seminar was held at the Washington Township Fire Department Training Room in Dublin.  Among those attending were members of the general public, local safety officials and amateur radio operators.

The agenda for the day consisted of a seminar presented by Shannon White of the National Weather Service on different types of severe weather and how to spot severe weather when it is eminent.  Shannon discussed the differences in different types of cloud formations and the type of weather you can expect from these formations.  She also discussed Flash Flooding and the dangers of flood waters.  Her presentation was concluded with a brief review and question period of the different types of severe weather.

Following Shannon's presentation, Larry Simpson of the Central Ohio Severe Weather Network discussed the organization's role in relaying reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service.  He explained the procedure that the organization follows to ensure that the National Weather Service receives accurate information from local amateur radio spotters.

The seminar was concluded with a presentation by Art Brown from the Franklin County Emergency Management Agency on the procedures that the county follows during severe weather.  He explained in detail the operations of the Outdoor Siren Warning System, and the coverage areas.  He also informed all attendees on the agency's plan to expand the coverage areas of this most valuable asset.