[EAS] {Spam?} Re: Earthquakes on EAS?

[Richard Rudman]

On Feb 24, 2011, at 8:21 PM, Bill Ruck wrote:

> Remember what the "A" stands for in EAS.

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Agreed, Bill. 

However.... getting the mechanics for better public information firmly embedded into the Incident Command System (ICS) protocols is a challenge. 

The analogy as I see it is-

Warnings : Public Information ::  Headlines : News Stories

We defined what information should be in a well constructed warning as part of the work we did within the Partnership for Public Warning, 2002-2003. As most of you know, CAP itself also came directly out of the work we did (especially Art Botterell) in the PPW.  

While a properly formatted CAP message will contain the elements of a proper warning, one of the most important bits of information CAP (and all) warnings should contain is where to go for additional information. That "where" should be getting its information from the emergency managers in charge, not relying on speculation, unofficial information from elected officials, rumor, listener/viewer calls, etc.

I have been trying to explain to the EM community that warnings are not isolated events. They exist as a subset of a much larger all-encompassing set, Emergency Public Information (EPI). Some get it. Some do not. Since many PIO's come out of law enforcement, it is very hard for many of them to be proactive with information when a part of their "day job" may be keeping law enforcement information going out to the public restricted. Some are able to do the 180 degree turn and do this. Wish there were more.

The best think a warning center can do is to set up a "editor's desk" function as soon as the EOC opens that reports directly to the incident commander. Purpose: To get a constant stream of timely and accurate info flowing out to the public -- after the initial warning is issued. Among other things this "push" effort should update what the public is being asked to do (or not do) to help manage things back to what passes for normal. 

I have some ideas on how to do this. If any one is interested, I can expand on or off list.

Regards,

Richard
rar01 (at) mac (dot) com