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After witnessing the continued decrease of involvement in the SpotterNetwork staff in serving SN members with troubleshooting issues recently, I have unilaterally decided to terminate the relationship between SpotterNetwork's support and Stormtrack. I have witnessed multiple users unable to receive support weeks after initiating help threads on the forum. I find this lack of response from SpotterNetwork officials disappointing and a failure to hold up their end of the agreement that was made years ago, before I took over management of this site. In my opinion, having Stormtrack users sit and wait for so long to receive help on SpotterNetwork issues on the Stormtrack forums reflects poorly not only on SpotterNetwork, but on Stormtrack and (by association) me as well. Since the issue has not been satisfactorily addressed, I no longer wish for the Stormtrack forum to be associated with SpotterNetwork.
I apologize to those who continue to have issues with the service and continue to see their issues left unaddressed. Please understand that the connection between ST and SN was put in place long before I had any say over it. But now that I am the "captain of this ship," it is within my right (nay, duty) to make adjustments as I see necessary. Ending this relationship is such an adjustment.
For those who continue to need help, I recommend navigating a web browswer to SpotterNetwork's About page, and seeking the individuals listed on that page for all further inquiries about SpotterNetwork.
From this moment forward, the SpotterNetwork sub-forum has been hidden/deleted and there will be no assurance that any SpotterNetwork issues brought up in any of Stormtrack's other sub-forums will be addressed. Do not rely on Stormtrack for help with SpotterNetwork issues.
Sincerely, Jeff D.
Wannabe NASCAR Chasers
- Thread starter David Drummond
- Start date
David Drummond
Member
There are certainly plenty of studies and facts to back up what Jay said there Dustin.
http://www.saferoads.org/issues/fs-GDL.htm
Dustin Wilcox
EF5
You're Right. Its just something we're gonna have to deal with or stop chasing.
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David Drummond
Member
No, we don't just have to "deal with it or stop". The behavior needs to stop, and those that don't want to stop it on their own need to be ticketed and fined until either all of their chase funds are dried up or their license is suspended. Hopefully they won't kill anyone before then.
Jay McCoy
EF5
Dustin.. I am not trying to stereotype all young drivers by saying they are bad. I am saying they are inexperienced and that is a fact. Do you not consider yourself a better driver than a 16 year old?? Yes older people drive stupidly also. I work wrecks every day with people of all ages. I am saying many chasers are younger which means less experience which is already 1 strike. Then you throw in extreme conditions and the excitement of the chase and it can be overwhelming.
I am saying they have to be even more diligent in paying more attanetion to their driving than in most cases. Older drivers have the exeperience to handle bad conditions better because we have driven in them just as I say a young chaser is better in wx conditions than john q. public because they drive in it more. It is like comparing somebody from north dakota to a drive in Houston. Who would be safer in snow?? and that coms from experience.
So in short younger drivers have to be even more careful until they get that experience. The driver should do that and that only..drive. not shoot video or watch radar etc...Thats why its much safer to have a chase partner.
I am saying they have to be even more diligent in paying more attanetion to their driving than in most cases. Older drivers have the exeperience to handle bad conditions better because we have driven in them just as I say a young chaser is better in wx conditions than john q. public because they drive in it more. It is like comparing somebody from north dakota to a drive in Houston. Who would be safer in snow?? and that coms from experience.
So in short younger drivers have to be even more careful until they get that experience. The driver should do that and that only..drive. not shoot video or watch radar etc...Thats why its much safer to have a chase partner.
Dustin Wilcox
EF5
You would make an excellent cop!! Honestly I agree with you, and it seems that process may be underway, seems many have been complaining of being targeted by cops lately. Where I disagree, is stating that younger chasers are the ones to blame, as has been implied in this thread. Its a universal issue, there are middle aged, old, and young chasers alike acting careless. I personally feel that some veterans often force the blame onto young chasers as a vent as they don't like the fact that they are sharing the road with younger less experienced chasers who are seeing just as many tornadoes and I don't blame them, I hate chasers convergences. I see this problem not getting any better before it gets worse, it starts at the top, and the only way we as chasers can make it any better is to practice what we preach and make good examples of ourselves.
David Drummond
Member
Personally, I don't care how old the driver is. With the kind of stuff that happened the other day, they could just as easily have killed me doing that if they were 16 or 60.
What if there had been a culvert right there where my tires went off the road. I would have flipped who knows how many times. All I know is, if one of you idiots driving like that out there hits me, you better hope either you or I is seriously injured or dead, because if I am not, I am coming out of that vehicle one mad, 6'2" 250 pound SOB.
When it's to the point I now am more worried about being hurt or killed from other chasers than the storm itself, it's gotten bad. I fully support those OHP that are going out there to target that crap. I might have to talk with a few Texas DPS friends I have and see if I can get the word around them as well, if it isn't already.
I've always been for live and let live in the chasing community. But now it has come to someone's behavior putting someone else's life at risk. That my friend, is a right none of us have.
What if there had been a culvert right there where my tires went off the road. I would have flipped who knows how many times. All I know is, if one of you idiots driving like that out there hits me, you better hope either you or I is seriously injured or dead, because if I am not, I am coming out of that vehicle one mad, 6'2" 250 pound SOB.
When it's to the point I now am more worried about being hurt or killed from other chasers than the storm itself, it's gotten bad. I fully support those OHP that are going out there to target that crap. I might have to talk with a few Texas DPS friends I have and see if I can get the word around them as well, if it isn't already.
I've always been for live and let live in the chasing community. But now it has come to someone's behavior putting someone else's life at risk. That my friend, is a right none of us have.
Jay McCoy
EF5
edited for the sake of ST and sanity..lol
But Paul.. As for local. state. and federal laws. You are way wrong. I think you need to recertify if you dont even know the Mutual aid laws in Texas, Oklahoma, kansas, etc.. Not to mention federal law.
I am more than certified in Texas plus all surrounding states (since 2002) and by federal law in all 50 as are all Emergency Management agencies.
But Paul.. As for local. state. and federal laws. You are way wrong. I think you need to recertify if you dont even know the Mutual aid laws in Texas, Oklahoma, kansas, etc.. Not to mention federal law.
I am more than certified in Texas plus all surrounding states (since 2002) and by federal law in all 50 as are all Emergency Management agencies.
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Brian Emfinger
EF4
I think the point is how certain individual are using their lights in a way I am sure is not suppose to be used. Just because you are allowed to use the lights doesn't mean it is ok to run people off the roads or consider yourself above the laws and putting yours and the other vehicles on the roads into danger.
David Drummond
Member
Not a single one of the vehicle I had my encounters with on Wednesday had a flashing light on it as far as I saw.
Jay McCoy
EF5
There is a joke there but I am biting my lip...lmao
And Bryan. nobody..not even emergency vehicles have the "right" to drive like maniacs.
I only have red/blues not yellows and have never used them chasing except when I came upon a wreck and was the only 1st responder there. Ofcourse at that time the chase is over.
I wouldnt mind having a few yellows to use. when I am pulled over on the side.
Paul Stofer
EF2
I do know mutual aid, we were taught that in the fire academy I also attended. As for mutual aid with neighboring states that have totally different state laws, statutes, codes and such that would be up to your individual agencies. I mentioned your situation to one of my former instructors who said it's a load of BS. I didn't say that, one of the instructors did. You may have some sort of unique situation. As far as the classes, we didn't go over state-wide mutal aid in either the fire academy or police academy, just local municipal and city type mutual aid. Be careful man, you'll get an unhappy trooper one day that doesn't believe your huff of fluff. I'm done with this sensless arguing..
Jay McCoy
EF5
I wasnt the one who started the argument but I am glad your done with it since its useless.
The main point is EM is totally different than fire/ems/police duties. I dont know of any states that have mutual aid with other states with law enforcement except where pursuits are involved. That is because laws differ in each state and municipality. My case falls under EM agreements bewteen states multiple states signed in 2002 and Homeland Security laws (homeland security act of 2001) which trumps any local laws anyway. I am more than happy to provide ID/badge/authorization sheet which we must carry at all times. They can write me up if they want even but it will be thrown in immediately. I have no worries.
And since I dont use my equipment while chasing anyway this argument is pointless. I have been chasing for 23 years. the last 8 with this equipment and never had 1 issue with any LEO's. In fact I am one of the 1st they will approach for information. They have alot less against me than they do with most of the other chasers who they dont know. At least they know I am a trained responder. We have members who have ben in AES for 40 years and been all over the US with their equipment mounted and we have never had 1 bad issue with any LEO's in any state. Not 1 request to remove them and not 1 ticket. hmmm.
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Shane Adams
The only way it's ever gonna stop is for all who can't deal with it to stop chasing, or just stop driving period. It's no different than everyday traffic, there's idiots you see everyday who do dangerous stuff. It's people and cars and there's so many of us that by law of averages alone, many will be idiots.
These threads are getting so damn old. If it bothers you that much, stop them and pull them outta their vehicles and beat the living sh&t outta them. Otherwise, take it with a grain and move on. Internet threads and threats of "ruining one's reputation and/or standing in the chase community" isn't going to change anything. The world is full of idiot drivers, and several of them happen to chase storms. It's life.
The war on drugs, teen sex, terrorism........stupid chase driving. There are things in life that no amount of wishing away or wanting to destroy will cure. If you're going to campaign against bad chaser driving, you might as well start crusading for bad driving in general, something that takes place EVERY day of the year and effects far more people than just a few hundred geeks who drive after clouds. Beating the bible so loudly just because of chaser driving is indicative of a selfish agenda IMO, when we all deal with it everyday of our lives on every road, whether we're chasing or not.
These threads are getting so damn old. If it bothers you that much, stop them and pull them outta their vehicles and beat the living sh&t outta them. Otherwise, take it with a grain and move on. Internet threads and threats of "ruining one's reputation and/or standing in the chase community" isn't going to change anything. The world is full of idiot drivers, and several of them happen to chase storms. It's life.
The war on drugs, teen sex, terrorism........stupid chase driving. There are things in life that no amount of wishing away or wanting to destroy will cure. If you're going to campaign against bad chaser driving, you might as well start crusading for bad driving in general, something that takes place EVERY day of the year and effects far more people than just a few hundred geeks who drive after clouds. Beating the bible so loudly just because of chaser driving is indicative of a selfish agenda IMO, when we all deal with it everyday of our lives on every road, whether we're chasing or not.
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David Drummond
Member
Well, maybe so Shane, but I can't readily recall the last time I had a near death traffic encounter with other drivers....until Wednesday.
Not sure where the "threats of "ruining one's reputation and/or standing in the chase community" part came from.
I could care less about one's perceived standing in any community when it comes to them doing things that threaten my life. I'll let the cops deal with them. They can get tickets and then come post threads about how they were mistreated by the cops. (not a reference to the other current thread going about that btw)
And if one of them ever does hit me, they better hope they hurt me good, because if not, 250 pounds of 6'2" angry Texan is coming out with a Texas sized attitude!
Not sure where the "threats of "ruining one's reputation and/or standing in the chase community" part came from.
I could care less about one's perceived standing in any community when it comes to them doing things that threaten my life. I'll let the cops deal with them. They can get tickets and then come post threads about how they were mistreated by the cops. (not a reference to the other current thread going about that btw)
And if one of them ever does hit me, they better hope they hurt me good, because if not, 250 pounds of 6'2" angry Texan is coming out with a Texas sized attitude!
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