![]() |
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Silver Spring, Md. 20910
|
W/MB1 February 21, 1984
TO: All Holders of Operations Manual
SUBJECT: Transmittal Memorandum for Operations Manual Issuance 84-4
1. Material Transmitted:
WSOM Chapter A-01, "Directives System," 18 pages.
2. Summary:
The chapter has minor revisions throughout. The new chapter incorporates instructions as amended by OML's.
3. Effect on Other Instructions:
Cancels WSOM Chapter A-01, transmittal issuance 70-28, dated July 15, 1970.
Also cancels the following OML's:
OML 71-3, dated February 2, 1971, (filed with A-01)
OML 9-74, dated April 4, 1974, (filed with A-01).
Richard E. Hallgren
Assistant Administrator
for Weather Services
![]() |
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Silver Spring, Md. 20910
|
W/MB1 March 16, 1984
TO: All Holders of Operations Manual
SUBJECT: Transmittal Memorandum for Operations Manual Issuance 84-5
1. Material Transmitted:
WSOM Chapter A-01, "Directives System," Appendix A.
2. Summary:
Appendix A was inadvertently. left out of WSOM A-01, transmittal issuance 84-4 and is being transmitted with this issuance.
3. Effect on Other Instructions:
Appendix A is to be filed at the back of WSOM Chapter A-01, transmittal issuance 84-4, dated February 21, 1984.
Correction -- Issuance 84-4 should have read -- Cancels WSOM Chapter A-01, transmittal issuance 70-28, dated July 15, 1970, instead of 1972.
Richard E. Hallgren
Assistant Administrator
for Weather Services
Issue Date Org. Code NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Part Chap.
2/21/84 W/MB1 Operations Manual A 01
DIRECTIVES SYSTEM
Table of Contents:
1. Purpose
2. Description
2.1 Operations Manual
* 2.1.1 Contents
2.1.2 Indicating Manual Contents
* 2.1.3 Format for Chapters
2.1.4 Technical Coordination and Review
2.1.5 Editorial Review
* 2.1.6 Transmittal Memorandum
* 2.1.7 Indicating Changes
* 2.1.8 Page Revisions
* 2.2 Operations Manual Letter (OML)
* 2.2.1 Standard Entries
* 2.2.2 Filing
2.2.3 Use of Colored Paper
* 2.3 Handbooks
2.3.1 Details of Preparation
2.3.2 Responsibility for Preparation
2.3.3 Regional Supplements
2.3.4 Engineering and Maintenance Handbooks and Manuals
2.3.5 Federal Handbooks
* 2.4 Regional Operations Manual Letters (ROML)
* 2.4.1 Coordination
2.4.2 Standard Entries and Filing
2.4.3 Use of Colored Paper
* 2.4.4 Copies for Washington Area
* 2.5 Memoranda
2.6 Forms and Technical Aids
* 3.1 National Weather Service Headquarters (WSH)
3.2 Regional Headquarters
4.1 Responsibility
4.2 Distribution
4.3 Inventory Procedure
4.3.1 National Weather Service Headquarters
* 4.3.2 Regional Headquarters
Exhibits:
A-01-1 Operations Manual Transmittal Memorandum
A-01-2 Operations Manual Letter
A-01-3 Regional Operations Manual Letter
A-01-4 Memorandum
* A - Maintaining and Filing WSOM Chapters, OML's, and ROML's
1. Purpose. This chapter defines and assigns responsibility for the National Weather Service (NWS) directives system. This directives system, like operational climatological and observational records, is not covered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Filing System. The National Weather Service directives system serves to:
a. record delegation of authority;
b. promulgate policy;
c. define programs, procedures, and standards; and
d. establish quality control and augment training activities.
Most chapter and operations manual letter directives are prepared at the NWS Headquarters in order to conserve the efforts of Regional Headquarters staffs and to provide an appropriate level of uniformity among regions. These permanent directives are kept on file until canceled or superseded.
2. Description. The directives system consists of the following parts:
Operations Manual (2.1)
Operations Manual Letter (OML) (2.2)
Handbooks (2.3)
Regional Operations Manual Letters (ROML) (2.4)
Memoranda (2.5)
Forms and Technical Aids (2.6)
These various parts are described below.
2.1 Operations Manual. The National Weather Service Operations Manual (WSOM) is the primary instrument of the NWS directives system. All permanent directives are to be filed in the manual, with the exception of:
a. handbooks (2.3 and 2.3.4),
b. equipment manuals (2.3.4), and
c. directives which relate to only one or a small number of units and/or are limited official use.
All of these items are exempted from the NOAA Filing System control.
* 2.1.1 Contents. The Manual is divided into ten parts as listed below; each part consists of several chapters:
A - General
B - Data Acquisition
C - Basic/Public Services
D - Specialized Services
E - Hydrologic Services
F - Climatological and Oceanographic Services
G - Communications
H - Engineering
I - NWS Career Development
J - Other Instructions
The contents of the individual parts are described briefly below ("Part" is used in a broad sense to take in related directives, including chapters, OML's, ROML's, and handbooks):
* a. Part A - General - a description of the directives system, statements on the mission of the NWS and responsibilities of officials and other employees, guidance of field office management not explicitly covered elsewhere in the manual, Automation of Field Operations and Services (AFOS) management, servicewide instructions relating to general management, relationships with the public, and other matters.
b. Part B - Data Acquisition - data acquisition policies, procedures, and practices except for specialized instructions prepared by the Office of Hydrology that are filed in Part E.
c. Part C - Basic/Public Services - basic and public weather services policies, procedures, and practices except those relating to data acquisition, communications, and engineering.
d. Part D - Specialized Services - specialized services (aviation, marine, agriculture, fire weather) policies, procedures, and practices except those relating to data acquisition, communications, and engineering.
e. Part E - Hydrologic Services - hydrologic service policies, procedures, and practices, including those relating to specialized communications and data acquisition activities.
* f. Part F - Climatological and Oceanographic Services - climatological program activities conducted by the NWS and policies, procedures, and practices relating to earthquakes and tsunamis.
* g. Part G - Communications - communications policies, procedures, and practices, except for AFOS, filed in Part A, and specialized instructions prepared by the Office of Hydrology, filed in Part E.
h. Part H - Engineering - engineering directives subsystem, policies, procedures, and practices for the design, procurement, installation, and maintenance of facilities and equipment.
* i. Part I - NWS Career Development - training policies, procedures, and practices within the NWS.
* j. Part J - Other Instructions - those directives that do not fall in any of the other parts.
2.1.2 Indicating Manual Contents. The contents of the manual will be indicated by:
a. Index of chapters and general table of contents filed before Part A.
b. Table of contents filed at the beginning of each part lists all chapter titles and issuance dates.
c. Table of contents at the beginning of each chapter lists all section, subsection, and sub-subsection titles and exhibits and appendices where applicable.
2.1.3 Format for Chapters. The format for all WS0M chapters is as follows.
a. Table of Contents. It should follow the format of the table of contents at the beginning of this chapter. Page numbers appear in the table of contents for each chapter if the chapter is more than ten pages long. The text may begin on the same page if the table of contents is short (no more than one-half of a page).
b. Standard Entries First Page. Standard entries on the first page of each chapter (see first page of this chapter for an example) are:
"Issue Date" - estimated date of delivery to the regions or effective date. The issue date will be entered by NO M's Administrative Systems Branch (AT/ IMS4) .
"Org. Code" - organization code of the originating office.
"Part" - letter identifying part in which chapter is to be filed.
"Chapter" - chapter number in two digits (e,g., Chapter 3 is entered as 03).
"WSOM Issuance" - control number assigned serially by calendar year (e.g., 84-4 is used for the fourth issuance during calendar year 1984). Administrative Systems Branch (AT/IMS4) will enter this item.
The first page of any chapter is typed on format paper and will not include a page number.
c. Standard Entries for Other Pages. All pages other than the first page of a chapter will have the following standard entries (typed on blank stock) as shown in this chapter.
(1) Identification of Chapter and Part - title of chapter in capital letters followed by part letter and chapter number in parentheses at upper outside corner of each page. This entry will appear on the right side of odd pages and on the left side of even pages.
* (2) Identification of Section - opposite the identification of chapter and part, the word "SECTION" in capital letters and the number of the section. The section number will be the same as the first line of text on that page. "SECTION" on exhibit pages will be the section that first refers to that particular exhibit.
(3) Issuance Number and Date - issuance number and date on the bottom outside corner of each page. Administrative Systems Branch (AT/IMS4) will enter issuance number and date.
(4) Page number - page number at the bottom center of each page.
d. Numbering Paragraphs. Paragraphs should be numbered following the example set in this chapter. Indent only numbered and lettered subdivisions. Paragraphs will not be indented. Progressive subdivisions of chapters are as follows:
1. section (indention 10 spaces)
1.1 subsection
1.1.1 sub-subsection
Numbered paragraphs will not be used below the sub-subsection. Any further sub-divisions of text will be indented and indicated as shown below:
1 . 1 . 1 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
a. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
( 1) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
(a) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The use of small letters to enumerate items for emphasis or clarity is recommended for within numbered sections or subsections where no further breakdown is required.
* e. Identification of Exhibits. The term "exhibit" will be used generically to cover all types of graphs, tables, and maps to which the reader is referred. Exhibits will be identified by chapter and numbered serially following the example set in this chapter. Exhibits should normally appear in the text at the point of first reference. Borders should be used on all exhibits with the exhibit number and title centered, outside the border, and at the bottom of the page.
2.1.4 Technical Coordination and Review. The preparing office is responsible for coordinating manual material with appropriate offices, including W/MB1. Coordination with the Regional Headquarters is particularly important to minimize the need for supplementary instructions within individual regions.
*2.1.5 Editorial Review. The preparing office is responsible for editorial review. Executive Affairs (W/MB1) will review the material for compliance with instructions contained in this chapter (see 4.1).
2.1.6 Transmittal Memorandum. Each manual chapter issuance will have a transmittal memorandum (see exhibit A-01-1). The memorandum will contain the following information.
a. "Material Transmitted" - identification of material transmitted, i.e., chapter number and title (and page numbers where appropriate).
b. "Summary" - a synopsis of important features and changes.
* c. "Effect on Other Instructions" - remarks and/or instructions regarding other outstanding directives. If the issuance is a chapter, include chapter number, transmittal issuance, and date. For OML's, include OML number, issue date, and where it is filed.
* 2.1.7 Indicating Changes. Significant changes to an existing chapter will be indicated by placing an asterisk (*) in the left margin at the beginning of the paragraph(s) affected. An asterisk also will be placed in the table of contents of that chapter to the left of the affected section.
* 2.1.8 Page Revisions. Page revisions will have an asterisk (*) at the beginning of the revised paragraphs, as stated in 2.1.7. Plus a revision number in the lower outside corner (leaving room for AT/IMS4 to enter a new issuance number and date), as shown in the example below. Complete rewrites of chapters are not considered page revisions.
WSOM Issuance
83-22 12/29/83 (entered by AT/IMS4)
Rev. 1
"Rev." indicates a page revision to a chapter and "1" indicates the first revision. The inventory list in the front of the Manual and table of contents in front of each part will also identify revisions to chapters.
* 2.2 0perations Manual Letter (OML). The OML is a controlled letter directive issued by the NWS Headquarters. It is a semi-permanent directive to be incorporated into manual or handbook issuances as soon as possible (see exhibit A-01-2). OML's should not have page change issuances. If an OML is corrected, it should be an update of the entire letter not a page revision. (Instructions in 2.1.4 on coordination apply to the extent practicable.) WSOM chapter page revisions are preferred over OML issuances (see 2.1.8).
2.2.1 Standard Entries. Standard entries for OML's are as follows:
a. The letters will be numbered consecutively followed by calendar year, e.g., OML 1-84 refers to the first such letter issued in 1984. Administrative Systems Branch (AT/IMS4) will make this entry.
b. "Date of Issue" - date of estimated delivery to field offices. AT/IMS4 will make this entry.
c "Effective Date" - date on which the instruction is to be effective. AT/IMS4 will enter issuance date unless there are specific reasons for an earlier or later date.
d. "Subject" - self-evident.
e. "In Reply Refer To" - organizational code of the responsible unit.
f. "File With" - part and chapter after which the letter is to be filed.
* g. "Reference(s)" - to existing chapters, OML's, or material that relates specifically to the particular OML.
* h. Any canceled OML's will be indicated after the references and before the text.
* When referencing chapters include chapter number, transmittal issuance, and date. In referring to or canceling OML's include OML number, issuance date, and where it is filed (the chapter part and number), e.g., OML 1-84 dated January 23, 1984, filed with B-60.
* 2.2.2 Filing. Each OML will be filed behind the chapter to which it refers. Regional Operations Manual Letters (ROML) will be filed behind OML's. (See 2.3.3 for exception under which an attachment is filed elsewhere. See Appendix A for details on maintenance and filing.)
For example, A-01 would indicate that the letter is to be filed after WSOM Chapter A-01. If a letter does not relate to any particular chapter, it would be coded "99", i.e., A-99 would indicate that a letter is to be filed at the back of Part A. Extra copies of OML's may be filed elsewhere, even apart from the WSOM, as necessary.
2.2.3 Use of Colored Paper. OML's will be printed on salmon-colored stock for easier recognition. This color will be used only for this purpose.
2.3 Handbooks. The NWS uses approximately 200 manuals on observing, forecasting, communications, AFOS, codes, and engineering and maintenance. Most relate to engineering and maintenance; the system for this area is described in 2.3.4.
* The following operational handbooks have been or will be issued within the next few years under current plans. Numbers are assigned as each handbook is issued.
Observing:
#1 Marine Surface Observations
#2 Substation Observations
#3 Radiation Observations
* River Data Code
Forecasting:
#1 Facsimile Products
#2 NOAA Weather Radio Operations
#3 Soaring Meteorology for Forecasters
#4 Forecaster's Information Retrieval System
#5 Great Lakes Ice Forecasting
* Severe Local Storms
* Precipitation
* Regional and Local Use Methods
* Tropical Analysis and Prediction
* Aviation
* Agriculture and Fire Weather
* Air Pollution
* Marine
* Weather Maps, Diagrams, and Technical Aids
* Preparation of Public Releases
Communications:
#1 NOAA Weather Wire Service (NWWS)
#2 Circuit Number Designations
#3 Internal RAREP and Warning Coordination System (RAWARC)
#4 International Station Numbers
#5 Location Identifiers for Substations
#6 NO M/NWS Catalog of Meteorological Bulletins
* AFOS:
#1 Notices and Handbook Maintenance
* Operator's Handbook
* Configuration Management
#4 Network Operations
#5 Reference Handbook
Please note that some of the most familiar manuals currently used are actually interagency manuals. These publications are discussed briefly in 2.3.5.
2.3.1 Details of Preparation. In general, the structure and format of the Operations , as described in this chapter, should be employed (this includes paragraph numbering, tables of contents, labeling exhibits, etc.). In this connection, all pages of any new edition of a handbook should carry the appropriate handbook number and issuance date in the lower outside corner of each page following the example below:
WSCH #1 5/1/68
where WSCH #1 represents National Weather Service Communications Handbook #1. When revised pages are issued to an existing edition, R1 - should precede the date, e.g.,
WSCH #1 R1-11/1/82
indicating the first revision to Communications Handbook #1 and the date of the revision.
Standard covers and inter-pages should be used following the instructions given in the NO M Directives Manual. Handbooks for all functional areas, except engineering, will use a standard color for the binder and cover (Observing - blue; Forecasting - green; Communications - gold; AFOS - white). Three-hole punching should be used.
A transmittal memorandum similar to that described in 2.1.6 will be used to transmit all handbooks and engineering manuals (2.3.4) and changes thereto.
2.3.2 Responsibility for Preparation. Each program office of the NWS Headquarters is responsible for handbooks relating to its functional area.
2.3.3 Regional Supplements. The regions are not authorized to issue handbooks. Where there is a requirement to issue a voluminous set of regional operating instructions to supplement an NWS Headquarters handbook, such instructions should be prepared as an attachment to an ROML (2.4). The ROML should specify if the attachment is to be filed with a handbook as this would be a departure from instructions in 2.2.2.
2.3.4 Engineering and Maintenance Handbooks and Manuals. The Engineering Division maintains its own directives subsystem for detailed technical instructions not appropriate for inclusion as a WSOM chapter. This subsystem is described in WSOM Chapter H-98, "Engineering Directives Subsystem."
2.3.5 Federal Handbooks. The NWS is responsible for the preparation of several interagency handbooks in cooperation with the Departments of Defense and Transportation.
Federal Meteorological Handbooks:
#1 - Surface Observations
#2 - Synoptic Code
#3 - Radiosonde Observations
#4 - Radiosonde Code
#5 - Winds-Aloft Observations
#6 - Upper Wind Code
#7 - Radar Observations
#8 - Barometry
#9 - Aviation Weather Observations (LAWRS & SAWRS)
#10 - Rocketsonde Observations
*2.4 Regional Operations Manual Letters (ROML). Each region will issue ROML's as permanent directives (see format exhibit A-01-3). Most ROML's should not have page revisions. They should be reissued as a new directive canceling entirely the incorrect version. Longer ROML's may have page revisions. Revisions should follow the same instructions as chapter page revisions (see 2.1.8). A new issuance number will be assigned ROML page revisions.
*2.4.1 Coordination. The content of an ROML will be coordinated with the appropriate NWS program office to minimize interregional inconsistencies and possible duplication of effort among regions.
*2.4.2 Standard Entries and Filing. The instructions on standard entries for ROML's will be the same as OML's (2.2.1) with one exception. Regions will prefix the issuance number by the letter signifying that region, e.g., E-01-84 for the first issuance of 1984 by the Eastern Region. ROML's will be filed behind OML's, or chapter when there are no OML's, of corresponding chapter and part (see 2.2.2 and appendix A).
2.4.3 Use of Colored Paper. ROML's will be printed exclusively on green stock.
*2.4.4 Copies for Washington Area. Copies of all ROML's are to be forwarded to Washington area as follows:
a. Executive Affairs (W/MB1) - 3 copies
b. NWS program office, and where appropriate, NOAA offices - 2 copies
*2.5 Memoranda. Manual chapters, OML's, ROML's, handbooks, and engineering manuals are for material which is to be kept on file until a later instruction supersedes or cancels it. Memoranda will be used for one-time instructions issued by the NWS and Regional Headquarters. Letterhead stationery will be used to transmit one-time instructions (see exhibit A-01-4). The addressees do not necessarily have to coincide with the distribution list for Operations Manual material. Copies of all memoranda relating to the WSOM should be provided to the following.
a. Executive Affairs (W/MB1) -- 1 copy
b. NWS Headquarters program office -- 1 copy
2.6 Forms and Technical Aids. All operational forms and technical aids prescribed in WSOM chapters and handbooks are considered part of the NWS directives system. As they are issued, they will be identified as indicated below.
Forms will be numbered serially by manual part as per the following example:
WS Form B-1
where "B" indicates that the form relates to data acquisition and is covered in the "B" part of the manual (or in an Observing Handbook relating to "B" part of the manual) and the "1" signifies that this is the first such "B" form issued.
Technical Aids (TA) will also be tied into a specific manual part and will be identified as in the following example:
WS TA B-1
NWS forms and technical aids are listed in the NOAA Forms Catalog.
The above instructions apply only to Weather Service forms. Forms specified in Federal Meteorological Handbooks (FMH) are identified in the example below:
MF 1-10
where "MF" refers to Meteorological Form; "1" refers to FMH #1; and "10" is the specific form number.
3. Issuing Authority. This section defines authority to issue directives.
*3.1 National Weather Service Headquarters (WSH). WSH directives material, with the exceptions noted below, will be signed by the Assistant Administrator or Deputy, National Weather Service. In the case of routine instructions and notes addressed only to electronics/facilities technicians and intended for filing in Engineering Division handbooks or manuals, the signing official will be the Chief, Engineering Division, Office of Technical Services. The AFOS Handbook series, the signing official is the Chief, AFOS Operations Division.
3.2 Regional Headquarters. The Regional Director is authorized to issue ROML's. This authority may be redelegated. All redelegations are to be defined in an ROML.
4. System Management. This section defines overall responsibility for the management of the directives system and provides instructions on the distribution and inventorying of directive material.
*4.1 Responsibility. Responsibility for the NWS directives system is assigned to Executive Affairs (W/MB1). Comments and inquiries relating to the overall directives system should be addressed to this office. Comments and inquiries on particular WSH directives should be addressed to the originating office. The organization code of the originating office appears on the first page of both chapters and OML's. Address the appropriate program office in the case of handbooks.
*4.2 Distribution. The Operations Manual will be maintained by appropriate organizational elements. As a minimum, one copy of the Manual will be maintained by each of the following offices:
a. All NWS field offices
b. All NWS Regional Headquarters
c. NWS Headquarters Offices
* Detailed distribution lists which go beyond the above will be kept current by the WSH and Regional Headquarters. Changes to WSH lists will be forwarded to Executive Affairs (W/MB1). Additional copies of manual material will be distributed to outside groups (e.g., Air Weather Service, Air Transport Association, etc.), as indicated on the distribution list accompanying the printing requisition.
ROML's will be distributed to all regional elements that maintain the Manual, appropriate WSH elements (4.3.2), and outside groups and agencies as necessary.
Handbooks and engineering/maintenance manuals will be distributed to appropriate field and supervisory personnel.
WSH and Regional Headquarters memoranda will be distributed on the basis of the subject matter (see 2.5).
4.3 Inventory Procedure. This subsection defines inventory procedures for current directives issued by WSH and the Regional Headquarters.
4.3.1 National Weather Service Headquarters. Executive Affairs (W/MB1) will maintain a complete listing of all current Operations Manual chapters and OML's issued. A listing of chapters and OML's in effect will be issued periodically to all holders of the manual, and other groups who receive these directives. The individual program offices are responsible for the management and control of handbook materials and are to take measures necessary to provide for the inventorying and purging of such materials.
*4.3.2 Regional Headquarters. Each region should periodically issue a listing of ROML's in effect. Copies of regional listings are to be provided to the following offices:
a. Executive Affairs (W/MB1) -- 3
b. Office of Hydrology (W/OH) -- 2
c. Office of Technical Services (W/OTS) -- 5
1. Listings and material to consider:
| Chapter Inventory | -- filed in front of Part A |
| OML Inventory | -- filed in front of Part A |
| Chapter Table of Contents | -- filed in front of each Part |
| OML Table of Contents | -- filed in front of each Part |
| New Chapter, OML, or ROML | |
| Canceled Chapter, OML, or ROML |
2. When a new chapter comes in:
a. Enter transmittal number, chapter, and date on the Chapter Inventory (filed in front of Part A).
b. On the Chapter and/or OML Inventory, cross out canceled chapters and/or OML's affected by the new issuance.
c. Turn to appropriate Part:
(1) On the Chapter Table of Contents, cross out the old issuance date and insert new date.
(2) On the OML Table of Contents, cross out the canceled OML(s), if any.
d. Discard old directives (chapters and/or OML's).
e. File new chapter.
3. When a new OML or ROML comes in:
Follow the same procedures used or the Chapters, using the OML Inventory list and OML Table of Contents.
4. Filing order:
OML's are to be filed after related Chapters by date -- latest issuance would be last. ROML's would follow OML's.
If these instructions are followed, all four listings (Chapter and OML Inventories and Tables of Contents) will always be up to date.
Missing Directives: Transmittals are numbered in sequence. Any missing Chapters or OML's may be obtained from NOAA Logistics Supply Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
WSOM Issuance
3/16/84 84-5
Rev. 1