The Dept. of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) presented the Mark Trail NOAA Weather Radio Award to Schneider National Inc. at a ceremony yesterday in Washington, DC.
Now in its ninth year, the Mark Trail Award honors individuals and organizations that use or provide NOAA Weather Radio receivers and transmitters to save lives and protect property. Schneider is one of 16 award recipients to be recognized this year.
Schneider National was honored for its long-standing use of radios equipped with NOAA Weather Radio receivers in its fleet of some 15,000 long-haul trucks. “Schneider National has made a valuable contribution in severe weather communications to our nation,” said Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher (USN-Ret.), Undersecretary of Commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA Administrator. “NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards can provide the public with those extra minutes of warning in situations where minutes can save lives.”
According to Jeff Last, warning coordination meteorologist at the NOAA Weather Service forecast office in Green Bay, WI, Schneider National has demonstrated “excellent stewardship” by recognizing the need for its drivers to have up-to-date weather information.
“Schneider trucks have a presence in every part of the country,” Last said. “The company is committed to safe operating conditions and NOAA Weather Radio is a vital part of that safety plan. Not only does NOAA Weather Radio provide weather forecasts, watches and warnings, it is also an excellent management tool that helps individual drivers change their routes or prepare for upcoming road conditions.”
“Schneider National puts a great deal of emphasis on safety, including the use of technologies like weather radios, to provide our drivers with the information they need to operate with their safety and the motoring public’s in mind,” noted Don Osterberg, the carrier’s vp-safety. “We’re honored to receive this recognition from the federal government.”
The Mark Trail award is named for the nationally syndicated comic strip character which serves as the campaign symbol for the NOAA Weather Radio program. Since 1995, Jack Elrod, writer and illustrator of “Mark Trail” and King Features Syndicate have been strong advocates for publicizing severe-weather safety through the use of weather radios.
For more information on NOAA Weather Radio, go to http://weather.gov/nwr.
