[BC] Usefulness of EAS

[Jeff Glass]

In a message dated 6/13/12 12:22:15 AM Central Daylight Time, 
broadcast-request at radiolists.net writes:

> It's been talked about, but most of us are already irritated
>   with audio mute for an alert that has no alert value to anyone,
>   except the person issuing it.
>  
>   I've no desire to be woken at 3AM for an Amber alert
>   that turns out to be a proper, legal visitation issued
>   by someone who failed to read the divorce decree.
>  
>   It'll happen.
>  
>  -- 

Lots of good points about EAS, but this is what we have, for better or 
worse. It seems to me that our usual fashion of sending out breaking news 
coverage would be just as effective as our daisy chain EAS system. 

It gives me little confidence in the system when a national EAS test gets 
screwed up largely due to the ineptitude of the originator. 

But until the FCC lets us come up with our own national alert protocol (it 
might be a procedure, it might be an infrastructure) all we can do is our 
best with the system we have. 

I would actually be more confident despite the national failure had the 
government's questionnaire been more thorough and revealing. I don't recall any 
question about relaying the entire message, and if it was audible or not. 
No. Just if we sent it or not. Sending an audible and complete message is the 
whole purpose, so it makes me think that the government is either too 
inept, or it just does not care. Just that there is the appearance of going 
through the motions; not if the motions were effective or not. But then, that's 
the government's approach to everything. 

So with this kind of leadership at the "head end" I don't have high 
expectations for EAS nationally. Locally and state wide however, I think EAS is 
very valuable, helpful, and it has a good track record for helping the public. 
It should therefore be kept with the idea of optimizing its usefulness on 
the local/regional level. This is one more thing where the federal government 
needs to get out of the way. 

Jeff Glass

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