[EAS] CAP, CAP distribution, and other warning systems

[Richard_Rudman]

I have just read several comments posted over the last two days about the distribution architecture for CAP messages. Let's first separate CAP from CAP distribution. First, a word or two to address some feelings that warnings done through cell phones might somehow be in competition with EAS.

I participated in the work of the Partnership For Public Warning (PPW) that not only came up with the CAP, but wrote reports that stated in no uncertain terms that the USA needs many different types of warning systems. During the short but busy life of the PPW we saw various forces trying their best to promote just one type of warning system for the USA. Fortunately after a lot of research, thought and discussion PPW came to the conclusion that while every system has its good and bad points, the best warning strategy for the USA must integrate many types of warning systems driven by a Common Alerting Protocol. The reports we wrote for FEMA/DHS and others made this crystal clear. 

CAP, the Common Alerting Protocol, has become an open non-proprietary international standard for the simple reason that is it both simplifies and provides quantum improvements for the warning origination process for ALL warning systems. CAP is and will be the way that all warning systems can parse a single warning message and pull out what is needed for that particular warning system. 

EAS is just one warning system among a growing field of other warning systems. I may take some heat on this, but I believe that pushing warnings out to cell phones and other personal communications devices  is GOOD for broadcasting. Note that even with the FCC's current emphasis on Broadband that their announcement of cell phone warnings the other day also said:

>> PLAN complements the existing Emergency Alert System, which is implemented by the FCC and FEMA at the federal level through broadcasters and other media service providers.  Like the Emergency Alert System, which is a modernization of the earlier Emergency Broadcast System (1963-1997), PLAN is intended to keep up with new technologies that can keep Americans safer.  This modern, integrated and complementary alert system provides significant public safety roles for broadcasters, cable service providers, wireless service providers and other service providers.

The EAS boxes that have so far passed the FEMA conformance process take care of virtually all of the details needed to put warning messages on the air. They do this by using an EAS-specific CAP profile (not a protocol) designed by the EAS CAP Industry Group (ECIG). If you have an interest in what they did and how they did it, here's the link to their website:

http://www.eas-cap.org/

One personal observation. All the boxes I have looked at also offer better logging and reporting, better user interfaces, and other features missing in original EAS equipment. For one thing, I'll be happy to no longer have to rely on built-in printers for EAS logging.

CAP distribution on the other hand is a work in progress. Nineteen states say they have various CAP distribution solutions. This means at this time that 31 states apparently do not. 

As of September 30 rthis year everyone will be required to have a CAP-EAS device that has passed FEMA (and maybe also FCC) muster and have said device programmed to poll an IP address that will be a part of FEMA's IPAWS-OPEN initiative. The rest of EAS will stay in place and work as it does now. After September 30 we will all find out if CAP distribution will work as designed. If distribution does not for some reason, that does not mean a failure of CAP itself. I will predict for the record that if there are distribution issues, they can be fixed!

I would respectfully suggest that, as engineers who have over the past decade become pretty fair IT experts for broadcast applications, you can do several things that can help perfect the distribution process as it plays out:

1. Continue to raise IP connectivity issues on this list in a respectful and thoughtful manner. Assume that this list is read by people intimately involved at the Federal level, because it is.
2. Read answers that may be posted from people we know and respect who are working directly with FEMA on the distribution issue.
3. Look over the Part 11 Wish List that the BWWG has posted at: [ http://eas.radiolists.net/info/part11.html ] and click on the "what we want to see in a revised Part 11" link.
4. Submit your own ideas to the BWWG  -- we will be filing formal comments on the rewrite with the FCC
5. Of course, submit your own comments if you see fit.

Regards,

Richard