Regional and Mesoscale Meteorology Branch

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a. An HTML version that works over the web

b. An HTML version that can be downloaded off the above site for local editing and/or use

c. A PDF version for printing out hard copy

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There are 3 intended usages for the NDIC.

The first in importance is in service training. Dispatchers should be exposed to the card sets at regular intervals (yearly) to learn the wide variety and unusual nature of the calls that come in during a natural disaster.

The second is pre-event review. On a day when the NWS puts out a statement or watch for potential significant weather the shift dispatchers should quickly review the applicable card set.

Third is real-time emergency directions. Although call rates can become overwhelming the card sets are still available should the dispatcher need them on a case by case basic during the emergency. Note the downloadable HTML version can run locally and is designed to respond very quickly.

How the dispatcher assesses the importance of an incoming call. Is it a true emergency?

Each topic starts out with an introductory card. The selection of topics comes from reviewing actual 911 calls for various disasters around the country. The questions incorporate 90% of the general topics. Below the categorized questions you will find a place where you can custom design some non-emergency advice if the time warrants. Below that section is a listing of the most common injury complaints for the given topic.

Compare this flood introductory card with the blizzard card. Note that both require a dispatcher in certain instances to determine where the caller is calling from. This is because the followup questions that appear when the user clicks on one of the choices will lead to a specific card representing a decision tree. Unlike emergency medical direction cards the NDIC all work like a decision flow chart trying to minimize the number of questions asked and the amount of time spent on the phone.

The hail emergency card not only includes responses for large hail but also includes a response section for deep hail as occurred in Cheyenne, WY on 2 August 1985 where deep hail and flooding waters caused 11 foot drifts.

Lightning advice has been updated from the NOAA booklets using reseach results from NSSL as of March 2000. Research around stadiums indicates that a flash to thunder time difference of 30 seconds is necessary lead time to evacuate in advance of a storm. This has evolved into advice stating that if the thunder to lightning delay is 30 seconds or less then people should take cover. However, a distinction is made in the card set which suggests that a 30 second delay represents some threat while a 10 second or less time lag represents imminent danger. This was done in recognition of the fact that most callers will not consider distant thunder as dangerous (a 30 second delay represents thunder so far away that it can barely be heard). Such advice could affect the credibility of the followup advice that the dispatcher gives.

Tornado advice has been updated by scientists from universities, NOAA labs, and emergency managers as of March 2000.

The NWS has specific definitions for various weather related natural disasters. For the 911 dispatcher, the disaster begins when the call rate suddenly increases to stress the system. Call rates during natural disasters can reach dozens of calls per minute. Fortunately the vast majority of these calls are repetitive and can be handled quickly.

NWS versus 911 dispatch definition of a flash flood.

Both 911 and non-emergency lines had flood calls only. Notice sudden dropoff
after the peak in number of phone calls. This occured after the NWS issued a flash
flood warning and Denver TV stations led their news broadcasts with the information.
The message here is – if the NWS can obtain information to warrant a warning, the
dispatchers job load can decrease significantly.

Each type of disaster has an introductory card with choices depending on callers problem. In the HTML version, the dispatcher selects a button relating to the callers problem and the software goes to the proper page. In the PDF version the dispatcher just flips to the proper hard copy page. Both versions work like a flow chart.

A typical second level advice card which includes caller specific questions and advice that is pertinent to the particular problem. Note: all advice given in these cards represents updates to the NOAA booklets as of March 2000 assembled from comments by NOAA labs, emergency managers and various dispatch offices. Final advice was reviewed by NOAA scientists.

In rural areas when the caller can clearly see the tornado’s location and direction of movement it often makes more sense to simply avoid the tornado if there are roads available to do so. Most people will not follow advice that has them taking actions that don’t seem to make sense or are uncomfortable such as abandoning their car and climbing into the ditch.