PCU 1: Develop and Maintain Customer Awareness and Partnerships

Recognizing customer needs and maintaining partnerships is critical to building strong relationships with land management agencies. Meteorologists need to understand how NWS products and services, as well as actual weather, impact the decision making process of land management agencies and personnel. Background information of wildland fire terminology and history is critical to understanding our partners.

Job Task Skills and Knowledge:

Identify fire weather partners and their needs based on job function and agency Understand the impacts of fire weather forecast elements on fire operations Apply Annual Operating Plan and Directive 10-401 to local WFO operations Demonstrate good customer service skills Familiarize partners with NWS fire weather products and services

Instructional Components:

ICS100 ICS700 Wildland Fire Suppression background from USFS Fire Weather Forecasting: Clear Communications (COMET - Advanced Fire Weather Forecasters Course) The Structure of the NWS Fire Weather Program (COMET - Advanced Fire Weather Forecasters Course) S290 Unit 1,8 Engage in a phone call answering partner questions about the weather. Focus is on interpreting local influences due to sheltering and terrain. (exercise) Guided interaction of local Annual Operating Plan and examples of other AOPs (exercise) Familiarization visit to a wildfire, prescribed fire, proposed burn site or participation in preseason or post season customer meetings. (exercise) Fire Weather Partners Interactions (incorporate parts of Clear Communications)

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