Former Southern Region Head Says Low Staffing A Risk

[Randy Jennings]

Former NWS Southern Region Director Bill Proenza told NBC5 that forecast offices across the country are so short staffed it could put the public at risk. Full story at: http://www.nbcdfw.com/investigation...ffices-Creates-Risky-Situation-309644671.html

A few notes as you read this story: This is follow on story to earlier NBC5 story (previously posted here). Story claims that US Senate Bill 1573 (National Weather Service Improvement Act) requires reporting about job vacancies, but as previously noted on this form, it is really about consolidation (reporting is about full-time vs contractor). Full text of the bill can be found at https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/1573/text. According to the story, Director Proenza has been "outspoken and sometimes at odds with top management over budget issues". You can read more about that at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Proenza.

 

[Kori Winstead]

I haven't read the article yet, but if Proenza said this, I'm inclined to believe it's exaggerated. Remember how gung-ho he was about QuikSCAT?

 

[Charley Kelly]

Kori, do you have any knowledge of the operational aspects of the NWS? It may be worth your while to read the article. Afterwards, take a tour of your local NWS office and speak with staff before making assumptions.

 

[Damon Poole]

The Bill has actually been revised and approved. The mess about the Regional Forecast Centers has been stricken out, after Sen. Bill Nelson had a talk with Thune. The reporting requirements about staffing remain, though. - http://www.commerce.senate.gov/publ...&File_id=669ac14f-e9c9-4599-9415-77ecc1f9f0d1

 

[Randy Jennings]

Thanks for the link. To be clear, the revised bill has been referred out of committee. It still hasn't been voted on by the Senate.