TEXAS SEVERE STORMS INTERCEPT
NOTE, THIS WAS WRITTEN SEVERAL YEARS AGO, THERE ARE NO OPENINGS ON THE TEAM.
So you want to be a storm chaser? (by Lee Cooper Chase-2)
Each week the members of the TSSI team get asked at least once, "How do I become a member? How can I be a storm chaser? This is where we will talk about the team, storm spotting and storm chasing.

Let's start right off with the most important concept that needs to be grasped. STORM CHASING IS DANGEROUS! It is not sanctioned by either the National Weather Service, The SPC, NSSL, Amateur Radio Emergency Services, Skywarn or ANYONE. There is a reason for that.
Probably the two most recent things that have brought out an interest in storm chasing have been the movie "Twister" and the recent stories in the media on storm chasing tours. They have misled a number of people in thinking that all they need is a camera, a GPS and maybe a laptop and they can safely go chasing. Nothing can be farther from the truth. Chase-1 has over twenty years of experience. Other members have several years of both chasing and Spotting experience. One of our members is a degreed meteorologist. We NEVER chase alone if it can be helped. We depend on each others skills and knowledge to keep us safe.
 
Minimum requirements for TSSI
The TSSI team has decided to make a list of recommendations for potential chasers and a minimum set of requirements for joining the team. Some of these requirements are flexible, some are not.
1. All team members must be licensed Amateur Radio Operators - We use ham radio extensively in chasing. We do not use CB Radios, cell phones,or other means. We need to be able to contact weather nets in various areas and Ham Radio is the method used.
2. All team members must have attended Basic and Advanced Skywarn classes, preferable more than once. This is the basic foundation for safe chasing. If you are not able to determine what kind of weather you are in and how to read its potential you can and will quickly get yourself in trouble. You may also consider the fact that members of the public may depend on your knowledge and direction for safety. Making the wrong decision, or giving someone the wrong information could very well put their lives in danger, not to mention your own.
3. We ask that all of our members have experience as storm spotters, preferably several years. Storm Spotting is the essential training ground for an experienced chaser. Spotting is the core of the National SKYWARN system. It consists of hams that have been trained by the National Weather Service and have seen, identified and properly reported severe weather in their area. Spotting allows one to remain relatively safe and to be able to move to shelter if severe weather develops around them. They have a strong network of other spotters and a Skywarn Net Control that will be working with them to ensure they remain safe until they have developed experience and confidence.
Spotters provide a valuable service to their community and can help to save lives by proper reporting of severe weather. The National Weather Service and the local media depend on the Spotter to alert them of dangerous weather and life threatening situations to local residents - BE A SPOTTER!
 
4. Safety First! - We insist that all of our members have safe vehicles that be driven safely in adverse weather conditions. We prefer, but do not insist on, Sport Utility Vehicles. This is due to them setting higher off the ground, having more vehicle around you to protect you and to allow room for the equipment you may carry.
 
After these requirements we also ask that someone be an intern with us before becoming a part of the team. An internship may last one full season or it may last longer. We have members of the team that are invaluable to us that do not necessarily chase. Spotters, Folks monitoring the various radars, Net controls and those assigned to work with the local media when possible are examples. We may ask new members to work in these support roles until they have gained the skills to hit the road. You may find that you prefer these roles more to actual chasing once you have seen what it entails. Chasing is not at all what is seen on TV. They show you the top 1% of it. The other 99% is driving to get in position, for hundreds of miles, usually in rain or heavy traffic. Also, 99% of the time, you don't catch a tornado. That is a chance you have to take, going to where conditions are prime and if you are lucky, you will see one. Catching a tornado is of course the main goal, but you must enjoy the entire experience as if it were a vacation. Enjoy the cloud formations, tourist sites, road food, and interesting and sometimes annoying people you encounter. It is all volunteer. No one pays you to chase, it is all out of pocket. There is no glory in it, just a personal satisfaction of helping save lives thru wxnets, thus assisting in getting warnings out to the public, and of course, if you're lucky, getting some cool footage in the process. The team was formed in 1993, and Jeff has spent thousands of hours (and 3 vehicles) gaining a respected reputation with local media, law enforcement, weather officials, etc. and is not about to endanger that with inexperience or negligence from members.
5. Also: You may also keep in mind, Jeff has gone thru 3 vehicles so far, working on #4, putting over 200,000 miles on each one, usually before they are payed off. You can also expect to put out $3500+ for equipment necessary for a successful chase; laptop, cameras, all terrain tires, etc. There are also some folks who scoff at us, thinking we're a bunch of annoying yahoos. I INVITE THEM TO COME & RIDEOUT WITH US ONCE AND SEE FOR THEMSELVES WHAT WE DO AND WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT, AND WHY WE ARE SOMETIMES SHORT TO INATTENTIVE PEOPLE ON THE AIR. I think they would walk away with a whole different perspective. When we call in a report to the NWS, it immediately goes out as a warning, usually no questions asked. Many tornado warnings have been generated from the NWS as a result of us, or other chasers.
The above do not constitute a complete set of requirements but is a good starting point. If you are reading this then you are interested in the weather and may be an avid fanatic about severe weather, as are we. We encourage you to pursue that interest, perhaps even take Troy Kimmels severe weather course at the University of Texas here in Austin, but in either case - Get your Ham license and take the Skywarn training and Good Spotting!