Chase organization
Chase team formation
Serious chase groups need structure. Here is how to form and run a chase team.
The formation reasons
- Shared costs.
- Split forecasting.
- Redundant safety.
- Continuous documentation.
- Community and mental support.
- Business efficiency.
- Skill diversity.
- Community reputation.
The specific roles
Driver
Primary vehicle operator. Focuses on driving.
Navigator
GPS, maps, storm positioning.
Forecaster
Model consultation, target refinement.
Photographer
Cameras and imaging.
Videographer
Recording and livestream.
Communicator
Ham radio, Zello, chase group communication.
Meteorologist/analyst
Real-time weather interpretation.
Safety coordinator
Escape routes, decisions.
Team lead
Overall decisions.
The team agreement
- Cost splitting formula.
- Vehicle use and maintenance.
- Gear ownership and sharing.
- Photo/video rights.
- Business income splits.
- Communication protocols.
- Safety policies.
- Off-season commitments.
- Dispute resolution.
- Team exit provisions.
Team dynamics
- Clear roles reduce conflict.
- Regular team meetings.
- Post-chase debriefs.
- Handle disagreements privately.
- Respect specialization.
- Celebrate wins together.
- Support after bust days.
- Address concerns early.
- Trust matters more than skill.
The specific team dynamics that work
Complementary skills
Different specialties on team.
Compatible personalities
Chemistry matters.
Shared risk tolerance
Prevents dangerous disagreements.
Same fitness/pace
Physical demand alignment.
Similar life circumstances
Family, career alignment.
Shared communication style
Direct vs collaborative.
Common values
Ethics alignment.
Financial compatibility
Similar investment tolerance.
The specific team dynamics that fail
Personality clashes
Long days magnify.
Risk tolerance mismatch
Safety disagreements.
Financial disparities
Some can't sustain.
Life circumstance changes
Divorce, career shifts.
Egoism
Who gets credit?
Photography competition
Same shot conflicts.
Business goals mismatch
Commercial vs hobby.
Communication styles clash
Direct vs indirect.
The team size options
Solo
Complete autonomy. Highest personal risk.
Pair
Cost split. Redundancy. Balanced dynamic.
Trio
More diverse skills. Two-out-of-three decision.
Small team (4-6)
Full specialization. Chase tour scale.
Large team (7+)
Chase tour or research team.
Multi-vehicle
Convoy or coordinated positions.
The commercial team considerations
- Business structure.
- Employee vs contractor.
- Insurance coverage.
- Commercial vehicle requirements.
- Tax implications.
- Written agreements essential.
- Legal review.
- Attorney relationship.
- Accountant relationship.
- Employment law compliance.
The volunteer team considerations
- Skywarn certification.
- Community service focus.
- Regular participation.
- Coordinator role.
- Regular meetings.
- Amateur radio integration.
- Reporting protocols.
- Safety focus.
- Recognition of volunteer time.
- Non-commercial focus.
The chase group vs team distinction
Chase group
Loose association. Communication only.
Chase team
Structured collaboration. Shared vehicle typically.
Chase collective
Multiple teams cooperating.
Chase tour
Commercial passenger operation.
Research team
Academic or professional.
Media team
Broadcast operation.
The famous teams
TWISTEX
Tim Samaras research team. Tragically ended 2013.
VORTEX projects
Multi-team research.
Reed Timmer teams
Various iterations.
Silver Lining Tours
Chase tour operation.
Extreme Chase Tours
Chris and Kathy Kridler.
Live Storms Media
Multi-chaser operation.
TIV operations
Sean Casey teams.
University chase groups
Academic teams.
The post-2013 El Reno impact
- Chase group leader responsibility.
- Legal duty of care emphasized.
- Safety protocols formalized.
- Insurance considerations.
- Team member screening.
- Emergency response planning.
- Communication protocols.
- Team leadership standards.
- Ongoing training.
- Community accountability.
Starting a team
- Identify potential members.
- Discuss compatibility.
- Discuss goals and expectations.
- Trial chases before commitment.
- Draft written agreement.
- Attorney review if commercial.
- Legal formation if commercial.
- Insurance verification.
- Regular meetings.
- Continued team development.
Ending a team
- Discuss openly.
- Written agreement should have exit provisions.
- Divide assets equitably.
- Complete outstanding business.
- Preserve community connections.
- Debrief lessons learned.
- Personal support.
- Move forward.
- Sometimes better as chase group.
- Sometimes better solo.
The team longevity factors
Communication
Regular, honest.
Compensation fairness
Everyone feels valued.
Role clarity
Everyone knows their part.
Personal relationships
Beyond just chase.
Shared values
Ethics + goals align.
Adaptability
Team evolves.
Individual growth
Support each member's development.
Life balance
Chase not everything.
Fun
Enjoy the work.
Community respect
Reputation matters.
The specific chase team stories
- TWISTEX before 2013 was multiple long-term collaborations.
- Sean Casey TIV team had decade-plus continuity.
- Chris Kridler chase tours family-based.
- Various Facebook chase groups persist for years.
- Amateur radio chase groups multi-decade.
- Not all teams last but many succeed.
- Community aspect is core.
- Long-term chasing benefits from team.