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Oklahoma's First-response Information Resource System using  Telecommunications
  (OK-FIRST!)

 

Project Information and Application Instructions 

Project Information.  Since 1996, the Oklahoma Climatological Survey (OCS) at the University of Oklahoma has been engaged in the OK-FIRST! Project.  OK-FIRST! is an effort to improve access to real-time weather information and to develop an information- and peer-support system for public safety agencies in and around Oklahoma.  OK-FIRST! was initially funded by a grant from the Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance Program (TIIAP), an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.  TIIAP seeks to assist in the application of telecommunications technology to those sections of society that are under served by current telecommunications infrastructure.  In the context of OK-FIRST!, this goal means that the geographic location of applicants has been a consideration in the selection process.  The Oklahoma Legislature has also endorsed OK-FIRST! with funding through the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety in Fiscal Year 1999.

Over the years, OK-FIRST! has trained many participants as indicated on the accompanying map.  Each  participant has been given access to a rich suite of weather information via the World Wide Web (WWW).  This information includes data from the Oklahoma Mesonetwork (see the attached map), 15 NEXRAD Doppler radars, and products from the National Weather Service.  The web pages developed for OK-FIRST! offer point-and-click access to maps of Mesonet data.  In addition, the entire NIDS product suite is available from 15 NEXRAD radars that surround Oklahoma (a map of the available radars is attached).  Mesonet maps are updated every fifteen minutes, and NEXRAD images are typically available within seconds of the time the radar creates the product (usually on a 6- or 10-minute update cycle).

Internet Access.  Because the OK-FIRST! data stream is delivered via the World Wide Web, all participants are required to have Internet access.  Internet access through a commercial provider is acceptable for use with OK-FIRST!.  However, another option for Internet access for state and local government agencies is the OneNet system operated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.  OneNet is the Internet provider for the University of Oklahoma, and thus participants who use OneNet likely will have faster and more reliable access to the OK-FIRST! web site.  This occurs because OneNet is a restricted system for government agencies in Oklahoma.  Participants are responsible for the monthly charges for Internet access (and for installation and monthly charges of a telephone line if needed for dial-up Internet access).  OneNet charges $15/month for dial-up service.  If local Internet service is not available, certain long distance calling plans like Southwestern Bell's 1+SAVER service are good alternatives.  This particular service allows a flat, nominal long-distance rate for unlimited access to one selected telephone number in your area code.  You could designate your specific number to be the nearest OneNet hub site, or the OneNet hub sites in Oklahoma City or Tulsa, for example.

Training Workshops.  An important component of the OK-FIRST! program is the training workshops and associated external evaluations.  Attendance at a workshop for data interpretation training is mandatory for all participants.  Normally, several data interpretation workshops will be conducted per year.  Participants will be reimbursed for travel expenses, in accordance with the policy of the University of Oklahoma.  Participants should also attend follow-up refresher courses to be announced later. Finally, participants may be questioned by an evaluator at regular intervals to gain insight on the impacts of OK-FIRST!.  

Participant Selection.  Past experience has shown that the selection process is quite competitive.  We encourage you to apply, even if you think you will not be selected.  Because of the competitive nature of this process, the quality of the narrative section of the application will be of utmost importance. Your application will provide us with needed information as we continue to seek on-going funding for OK-FIRST!. To assist in your application process, we are providing some of the criteria used in selecting participants: 

Selected participants must have Internet access or be willing to obtain Internet access.  

We desire to maintain geographic diversity of the participants, with a slight preference given to rural participants.

Locations with 24-hour monitoring are preferred.

Participants need to have a Pentium-class computer available for use and available Internet access.  Limited "scholarships" that provide Pentium computers on an extended-loan basis from the University of Oklahoma may be available in special circumstances.

We will consider recommendations we solicit from the National Weather Service.  There is no need for you to obtain a letter of recommendation from NWS officials.

The quality of the application and narrative is a very important factor.



Completion of this application implies agreement with all conditions set forth in this application by the applicant.

For further information on the OK-FIRST! Project, please contact Dale Morris at The Oklahoma Climate Survey, 100 E. Boyd, Suite 1210, Norman, OK  73019,  or by telephone at (405) 325-3230.  You may send inquiries via e-mail to dmorris@ou.edu. If you have access to the World Wide Web, you can find even more information on the OK-FIRST! home page at http://radar.metr.ou.edu/OK1/OK1.html.

Please return your completed application to  "OK-FIRST! Participants" at 100 E. Boyd, Suite 1210, Norman, OK  73019.  The application also can be FAXed to (405) 325-2550.



 















Application for Participation in OK-FIRST


Applicant's Name 

Title 

Agency 

Address 

City                                                                                       State               Zip Code 

Telephone                                                             FAX  

E-mail address (if applicable) 

Do you have a pager service?  If so, please list your pager number 

Does your pager have the capability to receive alphanumeric pages?   Yes                 No 

Please list the computer equipment in your office.  Be as specific as possible.  Include processor type (e.g., 486, Pentium, Macintosh), clock speed (e.g., 133 MHz), modem speed, amount of RAM (e.g., 32 MB) and operating system (e.g., Windows '95).  Also indicate if you think this equipment could be used for OK-FIRST.   





If you do not have or cannot obtain the computer equipment to access OK-FIRST, do you wish to be considered for one of the limited equipment scholarships?     Yes                   No   

Do you currently access weather data?      Yes                   No                

If yes, please list your sources of weather information. 



Do you have Internet access?  Yes                   No                      
If yes, please list your internet service provider. 
Do you use the World Wide Web?  Yes          No        

If so, please circle the web browsers you use









Is your Internet access available at your office? 

How many years of experience do you have in your current position? 

How many years of computer experience do you have? 

Please list your jurisdiction or area of responsibility. 

Please indicate the areas of public safety for which you or your office have responsibility:

	Sounding Storm Sirens/Public Storm Warning	

	Coordinating Storm Spotters/Liaison with the National Weather Service	

	Evacuations

	Firefighting

	Prescribed Burn Permits

	Other:__________________________________________________________________

Do you have contractual obligations that would affect your participation?  Yes          No

If so, how much time do they represent? 



Are you co-located with or near (within 5 blocks) of a police department, fire department or emergency operations center (EOC)?              

If yes, please list department 


Please indicate if your office is located in the local calling areas of the following cities:












Please provide a brief narrative stating why you want to participate in OK-FIRST and how your participation will benefit your community.  The quality of your narrative will be a very important consideration in the selection process.

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