58 -- Emergency Managers Weather Information Network User & Vendor Conference

The National Weather Service (NWS) and the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) are sponsoring an Emergency Managers Weather Information Network (EMWIN) User and Vendor conference to be held on 27 April 2004 at the NWS Headquarters, 1325 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. NWS and NESDIS managers will brief to all interested parties the changes which will be required in the EMWIN satellite broadcast system coincident with the operational deployment of the new generation of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) satellites. EMWIN is a suite of data access methods (satellite broadcast, internet, VHF or UHF radio) which makes available a live stream of weather and other critical emergency information to the public but especially to emergency managers. This conference will only address the impact upon EMWIN satellite broadcast dissemination which has been in service via the present generation of GOES satellites for over eight years. Existing receivers, marketed by commercial vendors to the public, will require modification or upgrading providing an opportunity for those vendors already marketing receivers or who wish to enter the market. The conference will review the reasons for the change in the GOES satellites, the specifications for the new system and a prototype design using software-defined concepts. The latter part of the meeting will be devoted to questions, comments and recommendations from the attendees which will be used to refine a draft transition plan. Further information on the EMWIN system may be found at http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/emwin/index.htm. Conference registration is available as a link from this URL.Questions or comments may be submitted to William A. Johnson, (301) 713-0864 x133 or Robert Wagner (301)-713-0864 x109. Registration closing date is April 20, 2004. Security procedures: All briefings are unclassified. Visitors to the NWS Headquarters will be required to show official picture identification (drivers license or similar ID) and to sign in. THE SUBMISSION OF THIS INFORMATION IS FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PROCURE ANY ITEMS/SERVICES, OR FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO PAY FOR THE INFORMATION RECEIVED. NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENT EXISTS.