[EAS] LECCs and SECC's are vital

[Clay Freinwald]

In response to some comments that have been posted re. issues re. NWS - 

 

Let me remind you all that EAS is  COOPERATIVE venture..The more all the
Stakeholders COOPERATE (aka Participate) the better the system will be.
EAS is, in large part, what we work to make it be.

 

Here are some points to ponder - 

 

1- We need underscore the need for PD's to become participants in LECC's and
SECC's.     

>  When Programmers leave EAS up to 'others' they are likely to  be out of
an important loop.   

>  Part of our mission (perhaps) should be to encourage greater
participation on the part of broadcasters

> Leaving something to others will usually result in getting something that
perhaps you don't like.    

> For far too-long - EAS has been considered an 'Engineer thing' by most
broadcasters - We all  need to work to stop this way of thinking !!

> Hopefully this can be an example for a call to action for others in
broadcasting.

 

2- I can tell you that working with your local WCM's -as an on-going process
will yield much better results for all.    I keep preaching that EAS is a -
cooperative - effort .  Lack of cooperation will usually yield less than
desirable results.

 

3 - NWS does have standard warning message formats - Nationwide.

 

4- Duplication or an over-abundance of messages can be caused by having more
than one forecast zone and/or NWS office connected to a given EAS box
resulting in apparent duplication.

 

5- EAS Decoder - Filtering - is an often misunderstood element in these
issues than can be used to calm down what appears to be too many messages.

 

6- Broadcast carriage of NWS Messages is - voluntary. ...Meaning that an EAS
Decoder can be programmed to make these messages - LOG ONLY.   Then these
messages can be used by the broadcast station as a - log only - event and
thereby become part of a regular news item...or perhaps a 'just in ' type of
item.   This is another good reason to have a display-sign in all live
operations.   This does not answer, of course, those stations and are
totally automated.

 

7- Having the PD's etc from Broadcasters .....WCM's from NWS....working -
TOGETHER - in > periodic and regular< EAS meetings will do a couple of
things - 

 

> Create a better result for all

> Create a better understanding  of the issues - On both sides.

> Help keep NWS aware of the concerns of broadcasters.

 

8 - NWS want's broadcast participation ....Broadcasters want a better
understanding of their needs at NWS.     What better method of achieving
this than having the parties on a first-name basis?

 

And finally - 

 

I've been the SECC Chair here in Washington State since the EAS was born.
We enjoy a superb level of cooperation and participation with the WCM's from
all 4 of the forecast offices serving our state.   If I can be of help..Let
me know

 

Thanks 

 

Clay Freinwald