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home / Education
Pinal County and National Weather Service seeking Storm Spotters
Public Service Announcement
Monday, April 13, 2009
FLORENCE – The summer monsoon season will soon bring afternoon deluges of rain and strong winds to Pinal County.
The County’s Emergency Management and the National Weather Service are actively recruiting volunteers to become severe weather spotters. Three training classes will be held in May for year-round residents looking to help the agencies. There is no charge for the classes but registration is necessary. Classes will be held in Florence, Apache Junction, and Casa Grande.
“These people will play a vital role in providing Pinal County and the National Weather Service with the latest, up-to-date information regarding storms in their immediate area,” announced Pete Weaver, Pinal County’s Emergency Management Director. “Doppler radar can only tell us so much. The spotters will help us determine the actual strength of the storms.”
The training will help storm spotters properly identify and report significant weather events. Spotters will learn how a thunderstorm works, identify cloud features associated with microbursts and tornadoes, how to estimate wind speeds, and how the storm spotter reports assist the National Weather Service in issuing warnings and advisories.
“I am eagerly awaiting these classes,” Weaver said. “People who attend one of these classes will learn a great deal about our summer storms and how their information helps to save lives and protect property. I can’t think of a better use of a person’s free time.”
The classes will be held at the following locations:
- Wednesday, May 13, Casa Grande Fire Training Center; 3305 North Piper Avenue; 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 27, Pinal County Emergency Operations Center; 31 North Pinal Street, Building F; Florence; 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
- Thursday, May 28, Apache Junction Fire District Station 264; 7557 East Highway 60; 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
To register for the class go to: http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/PublicWorks/EmergencyManagement/Pages/Home.aspx, or call (520) 866-6514 for more information.
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