Read about the custom
weather products available to FlashNews clients, or scroll to the bottom of the
page for National Weather Service forecasts.
E.R.F. Company / FlashNews Weather Program.
ERF Company Inc. has been providing detailed transportation forecasts
to school districts throughout the
ERF has joined with Flash News to expand our reach of this program by offering a group-pricing program. ERF will continue to offer full service to those that wish to have the expanded program, but for those that want something only when they need it, this new program might fit your needs. ERF will offer these levels of service; ERF Lite through Flash News, ERF Lite with phone link, and the full service ERF program. Here is the break down of what these services will involve:
ERF Lite.
This program will provide daily, and even hourly, weather updates via a link in the FlashNews system.
Updates will cover short-term weather events, less than 24 hours and will focus on specific needs for superintendents and transportation coordinators.
These updates will be posted as needed and will respond to the changing weather picture for a given area. The forecast discussions will cover frost/black ice, snow and ice, wind and even heavy rain. Any weather peril that would impact school bus operations and other operations as needed.
The annual cost of this service would be the same as what you pay for your Flash news coverage.
ERF Lite & Phone-in Ability.
The next level of service would allow clients to call ERF when weather conditions warrant.
When ERF issues a severe weather alert, the client can call in for additional details and information that would answer specific questions that might arise. This could involve helping resolve busing to other areas of the region, planning for future events or school closures or other related services.
It is sometimes difficult to answer all the questions concerning an impending weather event in a document, thus many might have the desire to call in for additional information or details. This level of service would offer the opportunity for clients to call in with questions or for clarifications.
The cost is a flat $ 500 per year, billed directly by ERF.
ERF Full Alert Weather Program.
This is the full service ERF weather program that we have provided for the last 28 years. This includes the two-way communications package which combines our daily 16 day forecasts, 30-90 day forecasts, alerts and bulletins as needed, plus our proactive program. This service allows us to call our clients as often as 3-4 times per day to give verbal forecasts along with the written information. ERF is on call, at your disposal, 24/7 during times of active weather.
This is the foundation(premium) program of our service. ERF works closely with our clients to understand what triggers them to go to a higher level of alert. By understanding this, we can then respond when we see those weather events unfolding. Usually we can do this 2, 3 or 7 days in advance. And in some cases, weeks in advance. This ability to prepare a client for future events can save them time and money. Or in the case of buses, keep them out of trouble before trouble hits.
The Full alert program allows you to provide us a list of contacts and E-mail addresses for staff members that require this level of service. How extensive list of contacts is depends on the client and their wishes. We will communicate with several members at once, or with just a single "key" person, depending on the situation.
The full alert program is a year-around service that can be used in the off-season for construction, maintenance and athletic programs. It can also be used to help schedule irrigation programs too.
The cost of this program is $ 250 per month year around, billed directly to the client.
For more
information about any of the above programs, call ERF directly at 503-286-4062,
and ask for Phil or Don.
National
Weather Service Forecast Links:
Portland-area
National Weather Service forecast
Seattle-area
National Weather Service forecast