RICHWOODS FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
CURRENT NEWS Last Updated 3/4/2010
St. Louis County Emergency Management (through the St. Louis County Police Department) offer a Level 1 and Level 2 spotter training class. The Level 1 class is almost exactly the same as the class ioffered by the National Weather Service and is all that is needed to become a spotter. The Level 2 class offers some additional information that is "nice to know" and may be helpful, but it is not a requirement. Skywarn Training Schedule Non-pressurized (dry) hydrants
SKYWARN
March 17, 2010
6:30PM
Location: Richwoods Lions Club
Skywarn is for Everyone!
The National Weather Service (NWS) is tasked with the difficult job of warning the public of dangerous weather. Many tools are used to accomplish this. Among them are doppler radar, satellites, lightning detection networks, and surface observations. While these are all useful, they have limitations. Based on current knowledge and technology, it is impossible for the NWS to detectevery severe weather event and provide early warning, although our ability has vastly improved over the past 10 to 15 years.
To try and fill the gaps between the technology and to provide better warnings, the NWS uses trained volunteers who agree to become the "eyes and ears" of the NWS. Weather spotters provide realtime observations of severe weather events, such as tornadoes, damaging winds, hail, flooding, and winter weather. These reports assist NWS meteorologist in making warning decisions. Spotters help the NWS fulfill its mission of protecting life and property, and also help in providing the citizens of their communities with life saving information!
Severe Storm Spotter Training gives an individual the basic tools you need to be a severe weather spotter. Starting with a blue sky, individuals are taught the basics of thunderstorm development, storm structure, what features to look for and where to find them. What and how to report information and basic severe weather safety are also covered. The class is a multimedia presentation using still pictures and video. The class typically takes from 2 to 2 1/2 hours, but adjustments can be made for special circumstances.
There is only one class that is needed and offered by the National Weather Service to become a volunteer storm spotter. That class is the Severe Storm Spotter Training Class. Everything a person needs to become a spotter is in the class. An Advanced Spotter Training Class was developed in the early 1990's. However due to time & logistical problems, most National Weather Service (NWS) offices no longer offer this class. The spotter training class offered by the NWS St. Louis is a combination of the two, so it covers all the concepts a spotter needs to know.
SKYWARN is not an exclusive club. While people involved in public service and who have good communication capabilities (radio, etc.) are encouraged to become spotters, everyone can benefit. Some examples include police and fire personnel, dispatchers, EMS workers, public utility workers, and amateur radio operators. People who are involved with hospitals, schools, churches and nursing homes, who have a responsibility for others, are also encouraged to attend.
If you are just curious about severe weather and want to learn more, a spotter class may be for you. The class is a great educational experience for everyone. You do not have to be a storm spotter. You can attend the class to learn how to better protect yourself and those you are responsible for.
More Skywarn Info
We are looking for locations to install Dry Hydrants.
In rural areas where municipal water systems are not available, dry hydrants are used to supply water for fighting fires. A dry hydrant is analogous to a standpipe. A dry hydrant is usually an unpressurized, permanently installed pipe that has one end below the water level of a lake or pond. This end usually has a strainer to prevent debris from entering the pipe. The other end is above ground and has a hard sleeve connector. When needed, a pumper fire engine will pump from the lake or pond by drafting water. This is done by vacuuming the air out the dry hydrant, hard sleeve, and the fire engines pump with a primer. Because lower pressure exist at the pump intake, atmospheric pressure on the pond or lake forces water into part of the dry hydrant above water, into the hard sleeve, and finally into the pump. This water can then be pumped by the engine's centrifugal pump.
Installing Dry Hydrants will help in lowering our Fire Districts ISO rating, which means lower insurance rates. Any one interested in a dry hydrant should contact us, Contact us on the Community Info page ----REWARD for Information in regards to The Richwoods Farm & Feed and Maw and Paws Fire ----
Richwoods CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) is looking for volunteers to join and help make Richwoods a safer place for everyone.
Come and join in meetings are the Third Tuesday of every month at 7pm located at the Richwoods Lions Club.
