St. Louis County R.A.C.E.S. & SKYWARN

"Taking the community by storm"

Frequently Asked Questions
Text Box: Is there a charge for the classes? No, all classes are free of charge. Is prior registration required? No, for most classes registration is done on-site. An exception would be classes held at the St. Louis Community College, where advance registration is required through the college. These classes, like others, are free of charge. Is there a minimum age? This would depend on the level of interest in weather and in the SKYWARN Program. Generally, those of age 13 should have no difficulty in grasping the content of the programs. Can anyone become a weather observer? Yes. No special training is required as a pre-requisite – it is all provided in the class. All that is needed is a desire to help the community. Weather observers come from all ages and all walks of life. What is the difference in Level 1 and Level 2 training? Level 1 is basic severe weather observation training, offered here in St. Louis County and in many other areas. While the training provided in St. Louis County is more detailed with considerably more support materials than in other areas, Level 1 training should be the same from wherever it is taken. Level 1 instruction is the minimum required for severe weather observation. Level 2 is an optional class providing additional and enhanced information. Is Level 2 training required? No. However many observers have asked for additional training, so Level 2 (Advanced) instruction was instituted by former St. Louis meteorologist Guy E. Tucker. The St. Louis County SKYWARN Program is the only regional program offering Level 2 training and while an option, observers are encouraged to take the class, even if they have received Level 1 training elsewhere. What are obligations of being a SKYWARN observer? Very few. Hours of duty, locations from where to watch, etc. are not assigned. We do not expect you to report severe weather if you do not observe it. Please observe severe weather from wherever you may be, if you can do so safely. There are no time sheets to complete and no one will monitor your availability or number of reports made. If you have an interest in weather and in serving your community, this program is for you! I have been a member for awhile but have seen nothing to report, should I continue to attend training classes? Absolutely! It is understood that many observers may faithfully observe for many years without observing any weather events meeting severe criteria. However your presence and expertise is greatly appreciated, and we know you are there and available and ready to report. Every observer is important to the program and to the community. What are the benefits of receiving St. Louis County SKYWARN Training? Training is received in weather observation, how and where to report, and safety information that could save your life. There are also plentiful handout materials. All SKYWARN training is essentially the same, but ours is unique, more comprehensive, St. Louis area based, and provides information available nowhere else. Certification is also provided. Do I need to be an amateur radio operator to participate? No. Many observers are amateur-radio licensees but it is not required and telephone reporting numbers are provided to all observers. The “E-Spotter” internet reporting method is also available to all observers. Why are classes not offered all year long? SKYWARN classes are most popular in the spring and fall, and the spring is the primary time for severe weather. Attendance is greater during the spring and fall and so this is when most classes are offered. It takes considerable preparation and planning to present the classes, and as such they are offered when and where the highest attendance is anticipated. Where are classes offered? Classes are offered across St. Louis County at various locations. We seek additional locations from time to time, however if attendance is low that site will not be revisited. There are Level 1 classes offered in other areas but we do not monitor them nor are we aware of their scheduling. Few programs are as comprehensive as the St. Louis County SKYWARN seminars. Once I receive training, how long should I wait before attending again? Retraining is recommended every other year. Your mailing label on SKYWARN Newsletter envelopes indicates your last date of Level 1 training in St. Louis County. Why did I receive a new spotter number… I have been trained before? St. Louis County was the first entity in the region to identify and register weather observers and continues to assign numbers of 3 or 4 digits. If an observer does not attend for 3+ years or SKYWARN Newsletters are returned by the post office, the numbers are reassigned. What is the St. Louis County RACES Program? RACES Programs are organized at the city, county, or state level by local government agencies. The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) is St. Louis County’s premier amateur radio emergency assistance program. RACES operators may be called upon to assist in various emergency situations as they arise, based upon the situation and need for emergency communications support. Assistance is provided to a variety of public safety agencies, school districts, hospitals, American Red Cross, etc. Severe weather and its resulting damage and response are the most prevalent emergency to affect the region, so amateur radio operators who take St. Louis County SKYWARN classes are enrolled in the RACES program, but their services are certainly not limited to severe weather events! Guidance and instruction in RACES operations are provided in the SKYWARN reporting guide. SKYWARN radio nets are not operated as RACES nets unless the situation should dictate. The St. Louis County Police RACES Program is locally managed by the St. Louis County Police Department, Office of Emergency Management and is open to all. As an amateur radio operator, what are my responsibilities in the RACES program? As in the SKYWARN Program, there are no hours of service or assigned locations, but we ask that during times of local or national emergency, that amateur radio operators monitor the local RACES repeaters for guidance and instructions. Do not report to a disaster scene unless officially requested to do so. Always carry your amateur radio license and SKYWARN reference card, as well as other means of personal identification. Federal Emergency Management Agency “NIMS” training is highly recommended. Is RACES only a “wartime” program operating only in a federally declared disaster? No, and this is a common misconception. While RACES operators would function in a declaration of war or other national emergency, state and local emergency situations of all types could also qualify for RACES operation, even if not officially “declared”. What are the benefits of participation of the RACES program? Benefits include professional local management, sponsorship by St. Louis County, a fully equipped emergency operations center, fully equipped mobile command post, and fellowship with public-safety professionals, among other attributes. Membership in clubs or other organizations is not required at any level of participation; dues are not required. What is a “monthly net”? “Monthly Nets” are “radio meetings” where participants gather to monitor events and activities in the RACES and SKYWARN programs. One need not be an amateur radio operator to listen-in. The monthly RACES / SKYWARN “net” is held on the 146.940 repeater on the first Thursday of each month at 7PM; alternately on the 147.360 repeater. What is “NIMS” training? “NIMS” (National Incident Management System) training is offered in a home-study environment by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). By accessing their internet site, these and a number of other useful classes may be taken “on-line”, or downloaded. Classes “IS100” and “IS700” are strongly recommended for all participants. There is no charge. FEMA on-line home-study training is among the best offered for those assisting in the SKYWARN and RACES programs. What are Lead Operators? “Lead Operators” are amateur radio operators who assist in SKYWARN net operations, Emergency Operations Center operations, and other assigned functions in the RACES & SKYWARN Programs. They run the SKYWARN nets and assist in training program set-up. They are a vital part of the program and their significant contributions are appreciated. Are SKYWARN Observers storm chasers? No. Some observers may choose to pursue this activity however we do not recommend nor advocate tornado chasing. It is dangerous and we are concerned for your safety. Do not go out after the storm has passed to look for damage to report – stay home, stay safe, and leave recovery operations to professionals. How will I know if severe weather is anticipated or forecasted? A tone-alert weather radio is highly recommended. It will alert you to any severe weather event (watch or warning). These are readily available at electronic outlets. Monitor the RACES / SKYWARN amateur radio repeaters, where watch and warning information will be broadcast as available. What is the difference in the weather “watch” and “warning”? A “watch” is a forecast that severe weather may develop over a period of about six hours. A “warning” means that severe weather has been indicated by radar or a trained observer, and action should be taken immediately if you are in the path of the storm. How can I stay on the “SKYWARN Newsletter” mailing list? Attend St. Louis County “SKYWARN” training every other year, and advise us if you move or change your mailing address. SKYWARN Newsletters are mailed to observers in the spring and fall. I live outside St. Louis County – may I still attend? Absolutely! All are welcome and encouraged to attend regardless of where they may reside. Is there a charge to be a SKYWARN or RACES participant? No. There are no membership fees, dues, donations, contributions, or monetary gratuities required. There are no mandatory meetings, no presidents, treasurers, board members, trustees, or secretaries. Your volunteer service and expertise is appreciated and that is priceless! Is there special equipment required for either program? No. The best assets of weather observers are their eyes and ears. No special weather monitoring equipment is required, but a tone-alert weather radio is strongly recommended. RACES participants should have, as licensed amateur radio operators, an amateur radio. Consideration should be given to equipment required for a long-term operation (response kits, extra batteries, etc.) but your expertise as a communicator is your best asset. How long have these programs been in existence? The St. Louis County SKYWARN Program has been in existence in its present form since 1975, with early training provided by Joe Pedigo of the National Weather Service. It was preceded by the Air Force Ground Observer Corps, formed in the 1950s. The St. Louis County RACES program has been providing quality services to the community continuously since 1955. I see training information available on the internet from other sources - is it still necessary to attend a class? Yes, because each region / area has unique reporting requirements, methods, phone numbers, and frequencies. While severe weather identification is basically the same, the facets of what, where, when, and how reports are made are different. Will you send class handout information by mail or computer? No, we prefer that you attend a class, in person, to participate in the training. Will you relay reports to utility companies, highway departments, or similar entities (power out, roads blocked, etc.)? No, this is a time-consuming process better left to other methods. Our Lead Operators are primarily focused on current, significant, credible severe weather reports. Is more information on the SKYWARN and RACES programs available? If your questions have not been answered here feel free to contact us for more information. Please be exact in the information you are requesting. Thank you for your interest. Do I need a “St. Louis County spotter number” to make reports to St. Louis County? No. If you are trained in other counties you may use whatever number is assigned, although we do encourage attendance at a St. Louis County class. Reports are welcomed from any currently-trained weather observer.