National Weather Service seeks volunteer "Storm Spotters"

I found the following on the National Weather Service website this evening and I thought it interesting enough to repeat here.

Contact: David Soroka, Warning Coordination Meteorologist
National Weather Service San Francisco Bay Area
PHONE 831-656-1710x223
PUBLIC “STORM SPOTTER” TRAINING SESSION
DATE: Thursday April 27, 2006
TIME: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
PLACE: Marin County Civic Center
3501 Civic Center Drive
Room 266
San Rafael, CA 94903
RSVP: NWS at 831-656-1710x223 or david.soroka@noaa.gov
Formal RSVP not required – but suggested to gauge attendance
Become a new National Weather Service Skywarn Spotter or re-learn your technique! Learn how you can relay local weather information to the National Weather Service, assisting in their mission to save lives and property and help validate their weather warnings. The Skywarn Spotter program is entirely voluntary – but your participation can one day help to save lives. Attending this training session will also help you to prepare for dangerous weather, and better understand the hazards associated with high winds, winter storms, flooding and severe weather.
The United States is the most severe weather prone country on Earth. Each year, we cope with thousands of thunderstorms, hundreds of tornadoes, floods, high winds, extreme heat and cold, as well as winter storms and hurricanes. Locally, strong winter storms batter our coast with heavy rain, high winds and dangerous surf. During the summer and fall, warm and dry weather combined with strong offshore winds also promote dangerous wildfires – threatening many areas.

Spotter trained communities are better prepared to save lives from the onslaught of severe weather through better planning, education, and awareness. No community is storm proof, but spotters can help communities save lives. Attending this training will ensure that you, your family and the Bay Area are better prepared to deal with the ravages of Mother Nature.