[EAS] The Message Continued

[Bill Ruck]

At 09:18 PM 3/15/2011, you wrote:
>At 03:44 PM 3/15/2011, Skinner, Jim wrote:
> >I for one really appreciate your question.  Why are broadcasters
> >responsible to purchase, install, maintain and test emergency alerting
> >equipment, yet no one is required to generate alerts?
>
>         Jim ... this reflects the changes in the industry
>         from when radio/tv was a local, live, public
>         service.  That is not to say some stations are not,
>         but the reality is that deregulation has changed
>         the tenor of broadcast content, leaving, as you
>         said an unequal situation where there are
>         requirements on one part, but not on the rest.
>         This is perhaps the biggest challenge, especially
>         in areas where there has been tension
>         between broadcaster and EM agencies.

Good point, Barry but also consider that the same thing is happening 
to local agencies.  I have heard on more than one occasion the 
comment "Why do we need an OES?  All they do is sit around."  As 
budgets are cut guess who gets the axe?

When the fertilizer hits the ventilation system nobody is around that 
has any clue of what can be done or needs to be done.

Been there, done that.  '89 Loma Prieta Earthquake.  But they didn't 
give me a T-shirt.

Bill Ruck