https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog daily 0.75 2023-08-12 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/2022-motorolatraining monthly 0.5 2023-08-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/17723058-712a-4efc-8e81-52aa36e7b17a/ASE_plane_tarmac.jpg Blog - Spring Radio Training - Since moving to the Roaring Fork Valley, I had sworn off flying out of Aspen Airport (ASE) during winter months due to the passenger volume and seemingly endless weather impacts. Couple that with planes only being able to take off to the North and land to the South and that’s a recipe for headaches. Surprisingly, I was able to fly out of Aspen under clear skies. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/e880a6cf-bb9b-4e98-b20c-94d03ebd9b23/Motorola_Sunny_batwings.jpg Blog - Spring Radio Training - From start to finish, I’m so grateful to work with a boss and a team who are supportive of my growth and learning as p The final team photo after the last competition. Always a delightful occasion. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/b924292b-971c-429b-9e85-b862883f16b5/Motorola_SW_config.jpg Blog - Spring Radio Training - When it comes to switches, we had to configure ports and tagging of VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) traffic for different devices and functions. Thankfully for our department, the State Office of Information Technology does most of the device configuration while we do the installs. However, for system troubleshooting and general computer networking this is important to know! The software-focused part of training was all about configuring the radio system and all the components. This part involved branches upon branches of tree menus, multiple programs and checking/double checking your inputs to make sure things were as they should be. Motorola even has a radio system lab that we were able to build and test our subscriber radio and dispatch console configurations on! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/812f5c1f-ed81-45fe-bfc1-e5b0a72bc749/PhaseThree_Taster.jpg Blog - Spring Radio Training - Make it stand out As a lover of all things craft beer, I did do some sampling during my travels. My absolute favorite was Phase Three Brewing Company. They absolutely crush the New England IPA game! From the awesome interactions I had with staff, to the quality and presentation of their product, I look forward to visiting them again. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/e6f7b80c-0ca3-4a07-8dfd-0956260d341f/Farm%26Fleet.jpg Blog - Spring Radio Training - Naturally, I had to stop and smell the tires and browse the power tools at a Midwest staple: Farm & Fleet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/c7c05466-2740-4e51-ab25-4885f66c3a4b/2022-01-31+12.55.34.jpg Blog - Spring Radio Training - After a quick connection in Denver (DEN) I arrived at Motorola Headquarters in Schaumburg, Illinois. Don’t be fooled by the blue skies. This was taken in late January on the only sunny day that week. The first round of training focused on configuring all the networking components that make a Motorola radio repeater site function. From routers and switches to T-1’s, ethernet and fiber optic cables, repeaters and more, it was hardcore, nerdy, super-techy training. I LOVED it! https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/2022-xgames monthly 0.5 2022-04-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1645154441329-KH317D5HN2S80EEXZ082/2022-01-17+14.04.24.jpg Blog - Winter X Games 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1645154439453-0VUHKVG5II7FCALSBKR1/2022-01-17+14.24.54.jpg Blog - Winter X Games 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1645154449112-19T1BFVZT31SPS752MEY/2022-01-19+10.46.43.jpg Blog - Winter X Games 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1645154457963-9G0CRTMZLL3S5ATH811M/2022-01-21+17.41.21.jpg Blog - Winter X Games 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1645154467479-LDAOBCFSCTXUGSEDYHEZ/2022-01-21+17.56.03-1.jpg Blog - Winter X Games 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1645154473552-WCOKZ25NUX26XS0OTBY0/2022-01-22+16.42.06.jpg Blog - Winter X Games 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1c10f9cb-a4f3-4fc0-b79d-b38afdeb6053/XGA22_VenueWalkthrough.jpg Blog - Winter X Games 2022 - Every year, the medical team walks and skis through each venue. We mark medical entrance and exit gates, assess the venue build, determine evacuation routing for injured athletes, and provide everyone an opportunity to appreciate the size and scale of the features the athletes are using. Combining on-site discovery and conversations with the Medical Action Plan and institutional knowledge, I begin working with our Ski Patrol leadership to build experience and depth for the event. I delegate equipment logistics and some other tasks to give our team members a stronger sense of ownership and more importantly to build their skills for other events we host throughout the season. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/0c7ff6d5-6d70-4d30-b576-73d62e83c4f2/XGA22_KNSnow.jpg Blog - Winter X Games 2022 - While snow during live TV is a boon for Aspen Skiing Company bookings, it can greatly disrupt the venues. The athletes rely on the courses being fast and consistent. Snow changes that. Thankfully, the parks crew and Snow Park Technologies cat crews were able to make quick work of the accumulation and keep things moving! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/21ba4b77-6119-451a-ac96-ce9db555238a/XGA2022_Staff.jpg Blog - Winter X Games 2022 - It truly takes a world-class team to put on a world-class event! I am humbled to represent Aspen Skiing Company’s Buttermilk Ski Patrol alongside these veteran staff from ESPN, Aspen Ambulance, Aspen Valley Hospital, and a host of other agencies and departments that come together to overcome anything that stands in the way of delivering the highest level of athlete medical care in the venue. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/67bcae24-afd9-4cfb-acd7-ceed919dc85f/XGA22_NightShot.jpg Blog - Winter X Games 2022 - With base area crowds under the lights, things felt a little closer to ‘normal’ this year. I can’t wait to see what X Games 2023 has in store! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/73876618-f320-4aa7-933a-9284b61be007/XGA22_FinalPhoto.jpg Blog - Winter X Games 2022 - Make it stand out The final team photo after the last competition. Always a delightful occasion. https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/2021-fallcolors monthly 0.5 2022-02-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1635472154388-FHXSZ1S37YWJFY5E8FUB/2021-10-03+10.45.50.jpg Blog - Maroon Bells and Fall Travel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1635472182432-79RR2TLI6IPT5RRKWH45/2021-10-04+12.26.38.jpg Blog - Maroon Bells and Fall Travel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1635472185516-C3FO3PTOMZEZ623ALUMD/2021-10-04+13.15.44.jpg Blog - Maroon Bells and Fall Travel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1635472185064-YTXO8ATS648YJDRVVHNN/2021-10-04+16.18.47.jpg Blog - Maroon Bells and Fall Travel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1635472212648-9BLEIRO5HYSMJV92OFAG/2021-10-04+18.57.43.jpg Blog - Maroon Bells and Fall Travel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1635472206255-EBXDFDRHVYQEU8XAY18D/2021-10-08+18.12.07.jpg Blog - Maroon Bells and Fall Travel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1635472217534-3XCERPIUT13KV3JZE9PX/2021-10-09+09.03.23.jpg Blog - Maroon Bells and Fall Travel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1635472220785-M2658EK7Y6J6U7DAO9EY/2021-10-09+17.35.26-2.jpg Blog - Maroon Bells and Fall Travel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1635472225009-90GH437A4SBESZFPV1RO/2021-10-12+05.52.56.jpg Blog - Maroon Bells and Fall Travel https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/2021-commsengineer monthly 0.5 2021-10-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1634347136849-KNW16A1NOWGJC95GZKN0/Heli_fall_21.jpg Blog - New Communications Job! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/2021-thomasville-tower monthly 0.5 2021-09-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1628951032345-PKHIVGFIZ3LWBSX4YOL1/MeInHeli Blog - Tower Building in Thomasville - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1628952872098-VUU6SM6TQ81ZPDQOXXDS/FormsAndSteel Blog - Tower Building in Thomasville - Speaking of concrete piers… These were monstrous 4 foot diameter, 6 foot tall forms that were mostly designed to be ballast for wind-loading of the tower structure. All concrete was mixed in the portable orange mixers from pallets of 80 pound bags of Sakrete combined with water from several 275 gallon water totes. Back-breaking doesn’t even begin to describe those two days of hauling, mixing and pouring concrete. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1628952183512-MZJ63J2HMG110JYF6KLU/ElectricAndRawSteel Blog - Tower Building in Thomasville - Holy Cross Energy technicians hiked up to install new equipment including a new meter. Raw materials for the tower base frame sit in the foreground. Many pieces of galvanized steel that would be bolted together atop concrete piers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1628956151872-2QOO8SB4HOAGKGAUJQE2/RuediHeli Blog - Tower Building in Thomasville - Every day was an adventure and the sights did not disappoint. The crew from TransAero were rockstars. It was a massive team effort all around from Pitkin County Telecommunications to Elk Mountain and beyond. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1628956115429-1Z2DBR6FI2WVFLVS6XLO/HeliFlowers Blog - Tower Building in Thomasville - After getting the Thomasville tower and microwave dish up and running, we flew to another mountaintop site to align and configure the other side of the hop. Even though skies were smoky and storm clouds were building in the distance, the helicopter couldn’t have looked any better in the field of wildflowers. https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/labxtier1 monthly 0.5 2021-07-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1626184826914-2L2ZIUKUM4XUXKUCNO9M/EEg+Logo.png Blog - LabX Extreme Event game Facilitator Training Program - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1626189680463-UIS64EZGDITTUEAZ4W34/NASLogo.png Blog - LabX Extreme Event game Facilitator Training Program - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1626189295161-CJ6I02BUYU9NRXFWEL0L/LabX+Logo.png Blog - LabX Extreme Event game Facilitator Training Program - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/cimsswxcamp21 monthly 0.5 2021-06-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1624716804520-V90VWJHVKYZENUDASL1D/CIMSS_workshop_2014 Blog - CIMSS Weather Camp - Student Talks - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1624716740746-DY4H34QVXJ37KYCCSQQG/WxTwitter+Title+Slide.JPG Blog - CIMSS Weather Camp - Student Talks - If you follow my social media accounts or have ever taken a class with me, you know that I am very passionate about education and the sharing of knowledge. I was humbled to be invited to do a bit of both at the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) Weather Camp for high school students. This was held in a virtual format this year as opposed to the typical in-person experience. I delivered two virtual talks to 50 high school students from around the country who were attending the week-long event: “More Than a Meteorologist” and “#WxTwitter and Social Media-rologists.” The first, bearing the same of my website, was my story of how I became interested in weather and my career story up until now, much like I share in the My Story section of this site. The second explored the benefits and potential pitfalls of sharing weather information online, interacting with professionals in the digital space including using the #WxTwitter hashtag, as well as developing credibility and authoring weather articles responsibly. https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/cowfima21summer monthly 0.5 2021-06-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1623462709966-6GL3KU5QMLVH6LNFFIFX/O305Team Blog - Colorado Wildfire & Incident Management Academy - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1623460708059-9Q2O2MPODCJBD4P7Y2GB/2021-06-07+07.31.41.jpg Blog - Colorado Wildfire & Incident Management Academy - Whew! Wrapping up an amazing week of learning and networking with some of the best in the wildfire and all-hazards incident management world at the Colorado Wildfire and Incident Management Academy’s summer offering in New Castle, CO. I was back in the classroom as a student taking the O-305 Type 3 All-Hazards Incident Management Team training course. This course is not only required for my Planning Section Chief certification I’m pursuing but I’d argue a course that ALL members of incident management teams should take. From Incident Commanders to Unit Leaders - this course deep dives into the planning process and all meetings therein, and culminates with three days of applying this knowledge under the tutelage of instructor staff and your peers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1623460773338-B00RFF99CON1HATFUXKB/planningp.JPG Blog - Colorado Wildfire & Incident Management Academy - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/nationaldoughnutday21 monthly 0.5 2021-06-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1622828755207-8AZIVQQVZAQSW8BKMOEY/2021-06-04+10.47.32.jpg Blog - #NationalDonutDay 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1622828813178-MGVHVD9C003D8VLF8LQB/2021-06-04+10.58.20.jpg Blog - #NationalDonutDay 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/amsguestspotlight monthly 0.5 2021-06-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1622396167438-AOKX0X8VB2ZSQGDEQDTU/AMS_BECP_4panel Blog - Guest Spotlight: AMS Board of Early Career Professionals - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/category/%23adventure monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/category/%23Colorado monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/category/TowerClimbing monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/category/%23photography monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/category/Communications monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/category/%23travel monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/category/%23mountains monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/category/Career monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23Planning monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23Helicopter monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23weather monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23FallColors monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23ics monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23planning monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23holiday monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23RadioTower monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23SkiPatrol monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23education monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23training monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23outreach monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23Colorado monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23XGames monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23career monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23Travel monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23Career monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23food monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23brewery monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23travel monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23madison monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23Mountains monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23nims monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23resilience monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23TowerWork monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23EastCoast monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23ExtremeEvent monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23InvitedTalk monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23learning monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23Adventure monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23donut monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23EventMedical monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23Radio monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23Communications monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23MentalHealth monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23Connecticut monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/blog/tag/%23LabX monthly 0.5 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/resume daily 0.75 2021-05-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847897715-EWKVJ35VXQ5P9CDGSYVT/image-asset.jpeg Resume https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847898345-D40VLF9LAM9L2XYZ5A1B/image-asset.jpeg Resume https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847896972-M6Z43LS56WX5T1S74A5I/image-asset.jpeg Resume https://www.wxkylenelson.com/about-me daily 0.75 2023-08-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1623114288699-DP2R6WYFKHYGWL7HK2LH/2021-04-29+09.15.42-2.jpg About Me - “Diversify yourself. What are you going to do to set yourself apart from everyone else?” This charge from my father inspired me to view my aspirations and future with a wider lens. Gone were the days of getting a degree with a guarantee of a job that I would be in for decades. I wanted to do something different. I wanted to be more than a meteorologist. With weather at the core, this is a glimpse into how an interested learner continues to carve his niche at the intersection of emergency management, education, meteorology, technology and innovation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/a453e14e-4814-410f-a60a-f7822e13677e/SnowcatRadio.jpg About Me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1623112506290-DIWIE4P1W6FUM6P3KA6Y/IMG_1850.JPG About Me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1632091793558-0MVEVUFX9PS5FX5DM23F/CommsTower.jpg About Me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1623112770202-8TMVA4OLIVM4OTEBX7PX/combined.JPG About Me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1623112846264-0S375CPI36A4D4MVDH3K/2021-06-07+10.38.00.jpg About Me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1623111651627-BKA9P0IPBY88T2LM4WJD/podcastlog.jpg About Me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1623113545922-H9L5MYL70O4AXBF7RI5X/IMG_1035.JPG About Me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/9f7e35c4-f91a-415e-bedd-40754b0cfac2/PER343+Screenshot.png About Me - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.wxkylenelson.com/home daily 1.0 2025-11-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1632091372359-J87G620PH7ABHVJA46RK/Fall21TowerClimb.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1621958496473-J6DZL1D85MV72XW7R7SL/NH-HSEM1.jpg Home Facilitating a hands-on Instagram activity in FEMA’s PER-344 Social Media Tools & Techniques course. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1622039308189-L132A58P96JKN0XTHLBD/2021-04-22+10.37.18-1.jpg Home - Make it stand out Serving as Planning Section Chief at the Pitkin County COVID-19 mass vaccination site https://www.wxkylenelson.com/contact daily 0.75 2021-06-06 https://www.wxkylenelson.com/my-story daily 0.75 2024-06-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1623286114256-R90ENXX79ZCOVG0B0GT9/IMG_1281.JPG My Story - 911 Dispatch and Incident Support Through leading the Ski Patrol team at Winter X Games and interacting with public safety agencies at all levels of government, I found my way back to radios and public service in the public sector. I joined the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office as 911 Dispatcher. The Pitkin County Regional Emergency Dispatch Center is a combination center that calltakes and dispatches law, fire, EMS and Rescue agencies for our county and the surrounding fire districts. I served our center as a Communications Unit Leader (COML), coordinating radio resources, training staff on the incident command system, and deploying for on site and remote incident dispatch in support of planned events and emerging incidents. I also served as an Exercise Evaluator, specializing in operational communications evaluations in support of local & state agencies. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1623286132029-MM3CO2XP5X3OFQJ324LE/IMG_3461.JPG My Story - Epicenter Innovation & Deployment Support Through NDPTC, I was introduced to Christopher Tarantino, CEO of Epicenter Innovation. At the time, Chris was building out Epicenter’s Deployment Support Unit and enlisted me as one of the first Weather Decision Support and Digital Media Specialists in the cadre. With the Epicenter team, I developed custom training & emergency plans for government and institutions of higher education, and deployed both remotely and on site to support planned events and emerging incidents. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1623116434692-JVC17WN9IVJ0VCRM7878/IMG_2047.JPG My Story - National Weather Service In my final summer at Central Michigan University, I volunteered at the NWS office in Grand Rapids, MI. The staff there provided me every opportunity to get involved from working the communications desk on the floor and operating WX8GRR Skywarn net control during high impact events, conducting storm damage surveys, and assisting county emergency managers in incorporating weather trigger points into their incident action plans & tabletop exercises. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1632093681828-P7BXDYY9N65T264XUX9F/2021-09-15%2B12.30.21.jpg My Story - Communications Project Engineer and Radio Systems Technician Getting back to my roots in amateur radio and public safety communications was a no-brainer next step for me as I sought to delve deeper into all the '“behind the scenes” gear and technology that moves voice and data throughout our county and world. Pitkin County Telecommunications sought me out for a Project Engineer position and welcomed me to their ranks where my duties quickly evolved and grew. From wireless and fiberoptic broadband installs, maintaining mountain top communication sites & equipment, TV and FM radio translator upkeep, programming portable and mobile radios, designing a new department website and more, every day is a new challenge. I stay connected to my public safety and emergency management roots by developing and delivering radio console training for dispatch, and radio user training for all our public safety and non-public safety agencies. I also serve as lead radio programmer for 1800+ subscriber units, and provide expert consultation to the Pitkin County Public Safety Radio User Group, Communications Board and Public Safety Council. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1622835972150-N01GGMKSR3JAOF4W2AU5/ACSAR.JPG My Story - Ham Radio, Search and Rescue A good friend and active amateur radio operator introduced me to the world and power of ham radio. I learned he was also a SKYWARN weather spotter. After joining him for one field session, I was hooked and joined the Allegan County Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES) group, who also led the SKYWARN program. Through this amazingly talented team, I also joined the volunteer Search and Rescue and Community Emergency Response Teams, deploying to floods, tornadoes, grassfires and missing persons missions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1623286726742-AR2FXFG02XX32E5E2H3E/NDPTC+Teach My Story - National Disaster Preparedness Training Center At an Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society, I took my passion for education to heart and through strategic, dedicated networking, met Owen Shieh who was the Weather and Climate Program Manager for FEMA’s National Disaster Preparedness Training Center. After I delivered an impassioned talk at the inagurial Weather Ready Nation Town Hall, he invited me to join his instructor cadre. Thus began my foray into into professional adult education and training at the National level. I’ve grown to lead courses on winter and convective weather hazards, social media engagement & tools/techniques, climate adaptation planning, community resilience and planning for disaster recovery. In addition to teaching, I led the revision and recertification of AWR-331 Winter Weather Hazards and assisted in the revision and recertification of PER-343 Social Media Engagement Strategies (twice!) and PER-344 Social Media Tools and Techniques. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1623116534015-DL3AHXFBU1TLBRG5JYZU/NOLS.jpg My Story - National Outdoor Leadership School and Wilderness Emergency Medicine After graduating from UW-Madison, I turned my sights to the mountains of Colorado. On my way to Aspen, I stopped in Lander, Wyoming for a 1-month resident program to obtain my Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician. While living at the Wyss campus south of town, my classmates and I learned from a former US Air Force Pararescueman (PJ), a firefighter/paramedic, a wilderness guide and an EMT how to lead the care of an injured individual in from backcountry to side country. In just one month, we earned our Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and Emergency Medical Technician certifications! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1623117407569-QJ81NTXAPR3MHS2S967Q/EM_radios My Story - Emergency Management & Event Support I worked closely with our county emergency manager Scott Corbin, who graciously took me under his wing and introduced me to the world of emergency management, and special event operations and planning. Under his guidance, I provided planning, logistics and liaison support for the county fair and for B93 Birthday Bash, an outdoor country music festival that can draw 20-40 thousand attendees per day. On-site weather decision support was key as evacuating or sheltering 40,000 people in an outdoor venue required as much lead time and coordination as possible. During severe weather events, I relayed storm reports to our SKYWARN net control and conducted post-storm damage surveys with affected local public safety entities. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1623285904718-LNXTHCNOZGFSWFWNSWLX/2021-06-07+10.38.00.jpg My Story - Incident Management Teams Through my growing roles and successes with Winter X Games and Dispatch, I was recruited to the Pitkin County and Northwest Colorado Type 3 Incident Management Teams as a Planning Section Chief and Situation Unit Leader. These were a natural fit. I’ve supported Winter X Games, a 4-day city-wide natural gas outage in Aspen during Christmas week, COVID-19 response & vaccine clinics, and multiple Lake Christine Fire burn scar flash-flooding events. In these roles, I continue to find connections and ways to apply my meteorology knowledge, and passion for education & public outreach. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad0e4b4445b43b5e406261/1623285868499-6R893VPXLFKTMHXBVGYS/2020-01-30+02.11.54.jpg My Story - Ski Patrolling in Aspen I quickly settled into Aspen as a member of Buttermilk Ski Patrol, intending to gain field experience and hone my mountain weather and avalanche skills, in addition to applying my new WEMT knowledge & skills. In my second season, I was promoted to both Winter X Games, and Lift Evacuation and Technical Rescue Coordinator, with the Patrol Director citing my past experience on search and rescue, and special event emergency management. What an incredible way to be recognized and to come full circle! As Winter X Games Coordinator, I led ski patrol medical planning, operations and logistics for the 2nd largest internationally-televised winter sports event in the world. The challenge of coordinating across Disney/ESPN, private sector medical entities, and public safety agencies is formidable but the reward of standing at the top of world-class venues like the Superpipe on live, prime-time television watching some of the most talented athletes in the world drop in made all the long days and nights worth it! Additionally, as a Mountain Weather Forecaster I work both at Buttermilk and with the other three mountains in Aspen Skiing Company to assist with their weather station program, and perform avalanche mitigation work including ski cutting and throwing hand charges to make unstable snow slide intentionally. There’s nothing like the smell of a pentolite booster charge in the morning, or the rush of feeling snow slide away from under you and skiing out of it while your partner watches over you from above!