Barry Gooden, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, center, presents Robins the National Weather Service “StormReady” designation to L-R, Roddy Nixon, senior meteorologist, Capt. Devan Lynch, flight commander, Col. Patricia Ross, 78th ABW vice commander and Lt. Col. Jacob Trigler, 78th OSS commander, in a presentation Thursday. Robins is the first military installation in Georgia to receive this designation. (U. S. Air Force photo/Sue Sapp)
Roddy Nixon, senior meteorologist, gives reporters and regional TV meteorologists a tour of Robins weather flight after a presentation where the National Weather Service designated the base “StormReady”. Robins is the first military installation in Georgia to receive this designation. (U. S. Air Force photo/Sue Sapp)
7/20/2012 - ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Robins has been designated "StormReady" by the National Weather Service.
The base is the first military installation in Georgia, second in Air Force Materiel Command and ninth in the Air Force to earn the designation, which is given to communities which demonstrate they are prepared to safely react to all types of severe weather - from tornadoes to tsunamis.
Speaking to reporters following the unveiling of a "StormReady" sign July 19, Roddy Nixon, senior meteorologist in the 78th Operational Support Squadron, said the designation shows "... that we (Team Robins) are serious about preparing; we want to be part of that effort to save lives."
According to the National Weather Service, Storm-Ready communities have, among other things, the capability to forecast, track and issue warnings about storms around the clock; more than one way to alert the public about severe weather forecasts and warnings; and promote public readiness about storms through seminars and emergency exercises.
Most communities have the ability to be StormReady, said Barry Gooden, National Weather Service preparedness coordinator for the state of Georgia. They just have to prove it.
Gooden added that he's positive other communities in the area will follow Robins' lead and get certified. "With the base receiving the designation, I'm confident there will now be more in Middle Georgia," he said.
