St Mary’s County Department of Public Safety, in coordination with the National Weather Service, will be hosting a SKYWARN class on Nov. 19, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., in the Chesapeake Building located at 41770 Baldridge Street in Leonardtown to train citizens to become SKYWARN storm spotters.

SKYWARN storm spotters are part of the ranks of citizens who form the Nation’s first line of defense against severe weather. There can be no finer reward than to know that their efforts have given communities the precious gift of time; seconds and minutes that can help save lives.

National Weather Service and the St Mary’s County Department of Public Safety encourage anyone with an interest in public service to join the SKYWARN program. SKYWARN Storm Spotters include police and fire personnel, dispatchers, EMS workers, public utility workers and other concerned private citizens. Individuals affiliated with hospitals, schools, churches, nursing homes or those with a responsibility for protecting others are also encouraged to become a spotter.

This free class will last approximately two hours and will include the following curriculum:

·         Basics of thunderstorm development
·         Fundamentals of storm structure
·         Identifying potential severe weather features
·         Information to report
·         How to report information
·         Basic severe weather safety

For more information please call the Department of Public Safety, Emergency Management Division at (301) 475 420, ext. 2125.