OFCM operates with policy guidance from the Federal Committee for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research (FCMSSR). The Chairperson of FCMSSR is the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, and Administrator of NOAA. The members of the FCMSSR are senior policy executives from the federal agencies with meteorological programs. In addition to reviewing OFCM activities and providing policy guidance, FCMSSR is the final forum to resolve agency differences.

The two Program Councils, chaired by the Federal Coordinator and directly under FCMSSR, coordinate key programs at the highest interagency policy decision-making level, and ensure that the programs meet joint requirements. In addition to establishing policy, the program councils coordinate development and oversee the preparation and implementation of national program plans which include R&D, systems development, validation and integration, acquisition strategy, operational concepts, agency roles, and management.

The Interdepartmental Committee for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research (ICMSSR), chaired by the Federal Coordinator, is the primary program management body of the Federal coordinating structure. ICMSSR provides advice to OFCM, implements FCMSSR policies, and oversees the committees and working groups that address observing systems, weather operations and services, operational processing centers, and automated weather information systems.

• Presentations from the ICMSSR 2003-1 Meeting.

The Committees and their Working and Joint Action Groups provide at the program and working level (1) a forum for each agency to report activities, difficulties, and achievements; (2) a mechanism for coordinated change and problem solving; (3) a medium for collection, documentation and consolidation of agency requirements and inventories; (4) oversight for coordinated system development; (5) a vehicle for coordinating with other groups; and (6) a mechanism for the preparation of studies, agreements, standards, protocols, reports, and national plans.

• Presentations: CCAMS 2003-1 Meeting.
• Presentations: JAG/TI 11-2003 Meeting.
• Presentations: CEISC Meetings.
• Presentations: JAG/LDS 12-2003 Meeting.