County offering free Skywarn spotter classes

Oakland County Homeland Security Division is offering free Skywarn spotter training classes in March, April and May. Skywarn is an effort to save lives during severe weather by expanding networks of spotters and encouraging the widest possible participation in tornado warning programs. Individuals who attend any of the two-hour Skywarn spotter training courses will receive the basic tools they need to be a severe weather spotter. They will learn the basics of thunderstorm development, storm structure, what features to look for and where to find them; what information to report and how to report it; and basic severe weather safety. "In severe weather, seconds count. The more residents we have trained in spotting and reporting tornadoes, the greater the likelihood of saving lives," said Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson. The class dates, times and locations are:. * March 5, 6 p.m.--8 p.m., Southfield Civic Center Library. * March 15, 7 p.m.--9 p.m., Rochester Hills Fire Department Station 1. * March 19, 7 p.m.--9 p.m., Groveland Township Fire Station 1. * April 14, 10 a.m.--noon, Oakland County Executive Office Building in Waterford. * April 14, 1 p.m--3 p.m., Oakland County Executive Office Building in Waterford. * April 30, 7 p.m.--9 p.m., Costick Center in Farmington Hills. * May 2, 7 p.m.--9 p.m., Oakland County Executive Office Building in Waterford. To register or for additional information, call Oakland County Homeland Security Division at 248-858-5300 or email ocem@oakgov.com. Space is limited. Published: Mon, Feb 6, 2012