Deaf Oklahomans to Receive Weather Alerts via Alphanumeric Pagers

October 15, 2003 - Deaf and hard-of-hearing will receive harzardous weather information directly from the National Weather Service (NWS) through alphanumeric pagers, as part of a new program announced today called OK-WARN (Weather Alert Remote Notification). A federal grant to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) will support a system to serve the deaf and hard-of-hearing community statewide, expanding a pilot program started in 2001.

Individuals who sign-up for OK-WARN will receive forecasts, watches and warnings from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) NWS local forecast offices. Included will be informational information about tornadoes, thunderstorms, winter storms, flash floods, river floods and high winds. OK-WARN is believed to be the only program in the U.S. that directly relays NWS alerts through pagers to people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.

"We're honored to be involved in this program which representss an important partnership between federal and state government and the private sector," said Albert Ashwood, OEM director.

Qualified deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals can sign up for the free program by completing a form available online. The forms will also be available at Communications Services for the Deaf offices in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, where staff members will provide assistance completing the form.

"We are excited to be part of this important effort," said Richard Smith, warning coordination meteorologist for the NOAA National Weather Service Norman Forecast Office. "Weather can turn dangerous quickly in Oklahoma, and it's critical that everyone be able to receive life saving warnings from the National Weather Service."

Data originating from NWS is transmitted via satellite to the OK-WARN system at OEM. Software developed by Weather Affirmation, LLC, of Oklahoma City, condenses and sends the information to local paging companies for distribution to pager users. OK-WARN participants must have their own pager and have a service provider.

According to Will Bakula, partner and consulting meteorologist at Weather Affirmation, his company agreed to adapt the system with the understanding that its use would be limited to individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.