[BC] Usefulness of EAS

[Clay Freinwald]

I have to respond - 

I happen to have a Weather Radio that I can program to respond to the EAS
Alerts I want it to. It will work at any hour of the day or night, even when
I'm asleep. But it is limited to picking up NOAA Weather Radio. Now if we
had available a similar device that picked up *broadcast stations*, that
would be ideal for us.

Comment - Here in Seattle our Weather Radios put out all EAS Messages and
have been doing this for many years.    Other areas  could have done this
also.   This was all done with Analog Equipment...Soon NWR will be more
fully connected via CAP. ...And yes, it will wake you up during the night
for Amber Alerts etc.

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.

Comment- Only if your SECC lets it happen.   As I keep saying, you can make
EAS into what you want it to be.   However, if you are not involved in the
decision making process, you will get what 'others' want.    

and once those with the power to issue, get addicted to issuing at the drop
of a hat, there will be 'alerts' at any and all conceivable hours and for
any conceivable excuse to push the button

Comment - If you let them do this with EAS - It's shame on you!   EAS is to
be a cooperative.

And boy, do they. The EAS logs just keep getting longer, and listeners are
complaining about it.

Comment - Only happens if you fail to get involved.    Does your State have
an active SECC, are all the stakeholders involved....Are you involved.   Can
you attend an SECC meeting and make a difference?   

Our NWS All Hazards Radio, WXJ-21 also blows the Duck Farts at almost any
excuse. it is so bad that my Wife made me unplug the Weather Radio, and I am
a Storm Spotter.

Comment - Your WCM's need to be involved with your SECC's and LECC's....and
these committees must have active broadcaster involvement.   Sounds to me
like you have given the control to others when you did not have to.

The GM is Paranoid about EAS.

Comment - Could it be because he has chosen to not get involved with EAS to
make sure that things go right ?

Folks - How EAS functions is really up to you.  You sit on your duff and
don't get involved with your LECC's and SECC's and then you gripe.    Trust
me - you do not have to let this happen to you.
EAS can be something you can be proud of - provided - Broadcasters come to
understand that they must be involved.

Been there and have been doing it since Day-One with EAS.   If we can do it,
so can you.

Clay Freinwald
SECC Chair
Washington State