[EAS] Cable TV Problems

[Bill Ruck]

At 10:10 AM 12/1/2011, you wrote:
>The flooding in 2002 occurred before the EAS Local Plan was adopted in
>the San Antonio area.  The numerous issues mentioned in Sean Donelan's
>positing were addressed in the local plan, including cable override.
>When the local cable system subsequently upgraded from analog to
>digital, they were no longer able provide channel exclusion because
>their equipment manufacturer didn't include that capability into the system.

There is another issue that is confusing us.

The "A" in EAS is "Alert".  The EAS is a _WARNING_ system.

The "W" in IPAWS is "Warning".

These systems need the advantage of speed.  There is no point in 
getting out a fancy digital HD alert after the fact.  Nor is there 
any point in issuing a detailed public notice that takes days to assemble.

Once the sh!t hits the fan there is no need for alerting or 
warning.  Then the issue shifts to Emergency Public Information.

Using EAS and IPAWS for Emergency Public Information is using the 
wrong tool for the job.

Media is best at presenting Emergency Public Information.

Do not confuse the two.

Bill Ruck
Curmudgeon
San Francisco