National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

One of NOAA’s missions is to save life and property by providing critical environmental intelligence, including weather forecasts and warnings, to our partners and the general public. NOAA wants everyone, from communities across the country, businesses, and the public at large to be ready, responsive, and resilient to extreme weather, water, and climate events.  Weather-Ready Nation Ambassadors (WRN Ambassadors) are formally recognized by NOAA as organizations committed to collaborating with NOAA, sharing preparedness messaging in outreach to the public, and serving as examples themselves by implementing resilience best practices. Apply to become an Ambassador here

WeatherReady Nation Ambassador Logo

 

Expectations 

 

Weather-Ready Nation Ambassadors will promote awareness of and preparedness for hazardous weather within your organization and/or community. Periodic emails from NOAA will be sent to WRN Ambassadors to provide information such as links to newly posted outreach material on relevant hazards, as well as updates on experimental or newly operational NOAA products, services, or data. Want more information? Check the Frequently Asked Questions page

 

Who Can Become a WRN Ambassador? 

  • Any organization across all levels of government
  • Businesses large and small
  • TV, Radio, and Print media
  • Non-profit and non-governmental organizations
  • Churches
  • Home Owner Associations
  • Academia

 

How to Apply 

 

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador! If you would like to sign up your organization as a Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador, you can apply on this page (submission process should only take 5-10 minutes):

 Apply Here

 

NWS Columbia, SC Weather-Ready Nation Ambassadors

 

28th Operational Weather Squadron Shaw AFB

Aiken County Emergency Management Division

Aiken Regional Medical Centers

Augusta-Richmond County EMA

Augusta Mall

Augusta University

Automatic Data Processing

Bamberg County Emergency Services

Barnwell County Emergency Management

Buford Fire & Rescue

Burke County EMA

Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency

Challenger Learning Center of Richland District One

Chesterfield County Council

Chesterfield County Emergency Services

City of Columbia Police Department

City of New Ellenton

City of Sumter

Clarendon County Emergency Management

Columbia County Emergency Management Agency

Columbia International University

Columbia Metropolitan Airport

Columbiana Centre Mall

CSRA East Central District Amateur Radio Emergency Service

CSRA Weather

District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties

Dominion Energy SC

Edgefield County EMA

Fairfield County Emergency Management

Fort Jackson

GA Dept. of Public Health - East Central Health District

Gold Cross EMS

Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety

Kershaw County Amateur Radio Club, Inc.

Kershaw County Emergency Management

Lady Starr Radio

Lancaster County Emergency Management

Lancaster County Storm Water

Lee County Emergency Management

Lexington County Emergency Management Division

Lexington County Firewire

Lexington County School District One

Livingston Insurance

McCormick County Emergency Services

McDuffie County Fire Rescue Service

Michelin Tire North America - Lexington, SC

@Midlands_Wx

Montmorenci Volunteer FD

Newberry County Emergency Management

Newberry County Emergency Services Alliance

Orangeburg County Emergency Services

Orangeburg County Fire District

Palmetto Chapter - American Meteorological Society

Pee Dee Ice & Fuel, Inc.

Reach Out Security Services

Richland County Emergency Services

Richland Library 

Right at Home Columbia, SC

Robert Bryant & Son, Inc.

Saluda County Emergency Management Division

Saluda Nursing and Rehab Center

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions

SC Department of Transportation - Emergency Management

SC Department of Transportation - Hydraulic Design Support Office

SC Department of Transportation - Traffic Management

SC State Fire

Simply Flood LLC

South Carolina Emergency Management Division

South Carolina Farm Bureau Insurance

South Carolina State Climatology Office

Sumter County Government

Sunbelt Rentals - Government Solutions

The Times and Democrat

Thomson-McDuffie Fire, EMS, and EMA

Town of Jefferson, SC

University of South Carolina American Meteorological Society

University of South Carolina Emergency Management

USDA Forest Service - Savannah River

USGS South Atlantic Water Science Center

US Postal Service (National Preparedness)

WACH FOX (Columbia, SC)

Wagener Fire Department

Waynesboro Fire Department

WRDW (Augusta, GA)

Wilbur's Last Ride

WFXG FOX 54 NEWS NOW (Augusta, GA)

WIS-TV (Columbia, SC)

WJBF-TV (Augusta, GA)

WLTX-TV (Columbia, SC)

 

WRN Ambassadors of Excellence

 

2022: South Carolina State Climatology Office

The efforts by the South Carolina State Climatology Office to promote weather safety through the Weather-Ready Nation program are worthy of recognition. The South Carolina State Climatology Office has created brochures on “Boating and Severe Weather”, “Hunting and Severe Weather”, “Heat Related Illness While Boating”, “Hyperthermia”, and “Hypothermia” that are distributed to those engaged in outdoor activities throughout the state, and tend to be more vulnerable to hazardous weather due to greater exposure to hazardous weather. They also promote weather safety at various exhibits, including the annual Palmetto Sportsman’s Class (in which over 40,000 people attend each year) and at the NWS sponsored WeatherFest for children.

 

2021: Columbia County Emergency Management Agency

In addition to their role in sharing vital weather information as a core partner, the Columbia County Emergency Management Agency is proactive in promoting weather safety and preparedness within Columbia County, GA. They organized a Public Safety and Preparedness Fair, which featured agencies responsible for preparedness and response at the county, state, and federal level, including the National Weather Service, with interactive and fun activities for families. Additionally, they have distributed about 125 NOAA Weather Radios to citizens, host multiple Pack a Bag/Ready Kit classes that highlight recommended items if there is a need to evacuate and/or shelter in place, promote National Safety Campaigns, and are working to implement a stream gauge plan for areas prone to flooding.

 

2020: Orangeburg County Office of Emergency Services

Orangeburg County Office of Emergency Services, under the leadership of Director Billy Staley, is a valued partner that promotes weather safety and preparedness to the citizens of Orangeburg County. The Office of Emergency Services uses a weather safety trailer that simulates thunderstorms, tornadoes and earthquakes, and will soon install a county AM radio station that will broadcast NOAA Weather Radio. They also provide extensive community outreach on weather related safety and preparedness topics, including the production of a YouTube video on hurricane preparedness.

 

2019: Richland Library

Richland Library stands out as a WRN Ambassador with their ongoing efforts to educate the public about weather preparedness. They have hosted a hurricane preparedness panel discussion that included NWS, state, media, and non-profit partners, and featured a weather forecasting activity during their annual Learn Freely Fest. Additionally, Richland Library regularly promotes NWS Preparedness Weeks and Campaigns, and provides severe weather information on their website, social media, and digital signage.

 

2018: South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD)

South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) is a leading example of a partner helping to build a Weather-Ready Nation through efforts aimed at ensuring citizens of the state are prepared for weather disasters. SCEMD recently unveiled the SC Emergency Manager App for mobile devices which allows users to build their own emergency plans, keep track of supplies and stay connected. They also publish and distribute an annual hurricane guide, engage with residents during numerous weather preparedness weeks and participate in many outreach activities with the NWS including Weatherfest and at NOAA Weather Radio programming events.

 

2017: Richland County, SC Emergency Services Department

Richland County, SC Emergency Services Department developed and implemented a network of professional grade, automated weather monitoring stations known as the Richland County Weather Information Network Data System, or RC Winds. The information provided by RC Winds is used routinely in NWS operations, and has improved the accuracy and timeliness of flash flood and severe thunderstorm warnings. This has greatly enhanced the NWS' ability to protect lives and property and to build a Weather-Ready Nation. 

 

More information on Ambassadors of Excellence

 

Resources