Spotters are usually organized around local emergency management agencies, or other organizations such as amateur radio clubs. Storm spotters come from all walks of life. They may be local citizens, or public service personnel from fire departments or law enforcement agencies. What they have in common is their interest in weather, and an interest in serving their communities.
Storm spotters are critical to the warning process.
They provide timely information on the weather that is occurring at the ground. Doppler radar provides National Weather Service meteorologists with large amounts of information about storms. But the radar does not tell the meteorologist the specifics about what is actually occurring at the ground. Volunteer storm spotters are a valuable asset in improving public safety.