University To Host Skywarn Training

Southwestern Adventist University is hosting Johnson County’s annual SKYWARN Spotter Training Session on the evening of February 4 at the Wharton Auditorium in the Mabee Center from 7 to 9 p.m.

Such training sessions occur weekly all over the nation with over 290,000 severe weather spotter volunteers now trained. Started in the 1970s, the program is designed to train local volunteers how to provide the National Weather Service with timely and accurate reports of severe weather in an effort to keep their community safe.

This is the third consecutive year Southwestern has hosted the SKYWARN training session, which have been about 100 volunteers strong. Jamie Moore, Johnson County Emergency Management Coordinator, and Ken Bush, local ARES coordinator, will be on hand to lead the training. The event is free and open to the public.

Southwestern’s involvement came about through employee Eder Marski, system administrator for the University and an active HAM radio operator. Marski’s involvement with ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Services) led to his participation with SKYWARN. “I’ve attended the last two years and it has been both excellent training and a wonderful opportunity to meet more community members,” explains Marski. “I’m glad we can help educate our community.”

For more information on becoming a SKYWARN volunteer, visit www.nws.noaa.gov/skywarn.

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