Purpose

This document defines the policy and usage of NWSchat (government chat) for registered ALERT Operational Members only.

This document ONLY applies to registered users with ALERT.
If you are NOT a dues-paying ALERT Operational Member, who responds to NWS calls to go to the NWS to serve, please utilize this chat instead:
https://alert-alabama.org/blog/?page_id=521

NWSchat gives ALERT the ability to respond to callout requests remotely, in cases of inaccessibility to the NWS Weather Forecast Office, or more minor severe weather events where a callout has not been issued.

Policies

• In order to access this chat, members must be in full compliance with the polices of the National Weather Service, as described here:
  https://nwschat.weather.gov/NWSChat_Terms_of_Use.pdf
  Violations of trust, or these terms will result in termination of access.
• Membership is limited to NWS partners, such as ALERT Callout Responders, Net Managers, media and others.
  The NWS owns and controls access, not ALERT. 
  *You must follow the access request procedure for ALERT under “How to Request Access”, if you are registering as an ALERT Callout Responder/Operational Member.
• Members must remain professional, courteous, and abide by NWS employee requests. 
  • Remember, all chats on this system are logged, and the system must be used only for the purposes of the NWS mission of protecting life and property.
  • By logging into this chat system, you have access to confidential government information.
    Members must not rebroadcast the contents of any chat on this system, without prior authorization from the NWS.
• ALERT Operators must ensure that the spotter reports sent to NWS meets Skywarn criteria guidelines.
  • For example, if you receive a spotter report from someone of a tornado on the ground, when there’s not even a bug swarm on the radar, that’s not a valid report for NWS, and thus the response should be “thank you for the report.”
  • If you receive an incomplete report, attempt to communicate with the individual to fill in the blanks, to meet Skywarn criteria.
  • If you receive a potentially valid report for or from another area, we will pass it as appropriate.
• Reset password regularly, per NWS password policy. This can be done at https://nwschat.weather.gov
• Use a chat client (such as Pidgin, Xabber, etc) on your phone or PC, when possible.
  
  • https://nwschat.weather.gov/live provides a web client, but it uses extra server resources.

Rooms to use during callout

1. Required: Don’t forget to log into the Weather.im chat, BMXSpotterChat, to receive spotter reports from non-NWSchat-eligible users!!!
2. Required: BMXEMAChat
   This chat room houses EMA and ALERT, and is not viewable by the media. This is the primary chat room for providing the NWS with storm reports from ALERT.
3. Required: BMXALERT (NEW!)
   This is the new ALERT-Only chat room for coordinating ham radio operations privately. It may be a good idea to use the /nick command to describe you, your callsign, and your role or location.
4. Optional: BMXchat
   This is the chat room for all NWS partners, including the media.
   This chat room’s messages are automatically copied/rebroadcast into BMXEMAchat, so it isn’t necessary to log in here, unless there’s someone in particular you are trying to reach.
5. Optional: Other Chats
   We have access to chats nationwide, in case you need to relate a report to a different office, are traveling, or any other valid NWS purpose. 

How to Request Access

1. Be an ALERT Operational Member in good standing, or have a valid association which is eligible for chat access.
   For ALERT, it’s a good idea to check in with an officer, so we can give the NWS Chat Steward an advance notice of the request to come…
2. Use the Access Request form: https://nwschat.weather.gov/create.php
   Steps/Important entries:
   
   • Prefix/Affiliation: Ham Radio
   • Common Name On Account: ALERT-NWS-Firstname.Callsign
     This is the same as your chat handle.
   • Contact Email Address: [Your email]
     *Password resets and reset reminders must be able to be received, or you may lose access.
   • Your Phone Number: [Your number]
   • Your Affiliation: ALERT
   • Set a password.
   • Primary NWS Office: Birmingham (BMX)
   • Click Create Account.
   • Await approval.