DATE: September 22, 2016
MEDIA CONTACT: Miguel Ascarrunz, Director
Broward County Emergency Management Division
PHONE: 954-831-3900
EMAIL: mascarrunz@broward.org

BROWARD COUNTY, FL - Broward County Emergency Management Division is sponsoring a SKYWARN Storm Spotters training class on Saturday, October 1, at the Broward Emergency Operations Center located at 201 N.W. 84th Ave. in Plantation from 10 AM to 2:30 PM. 

The class is intended for those interested in becoming a Storm Spotter or current spotters who want to sharpen their skills. Interested persons must be at least 14 years old and preregister by Thursday, September 29th, by contacting Robin Terrell, Broward County SKYWARN Coordinator, at email n4hhp@comcast.net. Only 50 seats are available and attendees under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Attendees need to make their own lunch arrangements.

"SKYWARN spotters provide vital weather hazard information to meteorologists at the National Weather Service (NWS)," stated Miguel Ascarrunz, Director of Broward County's Emergency Management Division. "Trained local storm spotters can assist the NWS to help verify severe weather events, such as tornados, as they are occurring in our community." Classes for beginners and advanced Storm Spotters will be taught in a combined class by a meteorologist with the NWS.

SKYWARN Storm Spotters are a nationwide network of volunteers who report observations of significant weather and damage resulting from severe weather. The National Weather Service then sends alerts to the public via television, radio, marine and weather radios, public safety agencies and other information sources that severe weather is approaching or has been sighted.

About Emergency Management Division
The Broward County Emergency Management Division develops and implements comprehensive emergency planning, response, mitigation and recovery activities in order to save lives and protect property in emergencies. Technical assistance is available to develop and maintain emergency plans for all types of hazards. Free training and presentations are available to the public on request. For more information, visit Broward.org/Emergency, follow us on Twitter @ReadyBroward, like us on Facebook.com/BrowardEMD or call 954-831-3900.