Belville J D
Ann Emerg Med. 1987 Sep;16(9):1078-80. doi: 10.1016/s0196-0644(87)80762-x.
The National Weather Service (NWS) is the federal agency solely responsible for issuing weather forecasts and warnings of weather hazards. Additional facets of NWS operations that pertain to public safety are dissemination of weather warnings, weather hazard awareness, and the weather preparedness program. These are interrelated to form a successful warning program. NWS field operations encompass many types of atmospheric phenomena, each requiring different action in order to protect life and property. The NWS weather forecast and warning program is of little value if local officials or citizens are unprepared to take necessary precautions. Many deaths and serious injuries that occur due to hazardous weather are preventable. Although the weather-related death toll has decreased significantly since the 1960s, the potential for catastrophic loss of life remains in many areas of the United States. An excellent preparedness/awareness program can minimize the possibility of loss of life.
美国国家气象局（NWS）是唯一负责发布天气预报和天气灾害预警的联邦机构。美国国家气象局业务中与公共安全相关的其他方面包括天气预警的传播、天气灾害意识以及天气准备计划。这些相互关联，构成一个成功的预警计划。美国国家气象局的现场业务涵盖多种大气现象，每种现象都需要采取不同行动以保护生命和财产。如果地方官员或公民没有准备好采取必要的预防措施，美国国家气象局的天气预报和预警计划就没什么价值。许多因恶劣天气导致的死亡和重伤都是可以预防的。尽管自20世纪60年代以来，与天气相关的死亡人数已大幅下降，但在美国许多地区，生命遭受灾难性损失的可能性依然存在。一个出色的准备/意识计划可以将生命损失的可能性降至最低。
