[EAS] Voluntary Local EAS Carriage: Can We All Take Two Steps Forward?

[Adrienne Abbott]

Bill makes an important point. The time for an EAS activation may be well
past the point where polygons are being drawn. EAS is a First Responder
function and most of the time Emergency Managers are not among those who
respond initially to a disaster or emergency. The need for warnings is
immediate, not at the point where someone sits down at a computer or laptop
to draw lines around the area affected by the disaster. By then lives could
be lost.

While we work with emergency managers to develop our EAS plans, we need to
keep in mind that in most cases, the people who should be issuing EAS
activations are going to be First Responders and we need to make sure they
understand what broadcasters can and can't do with an EAS activation. It's
up to the SECC/LECC working with the emergency management community,
including First Responders, to develop the criteria for an EAS activation.
It's up to the SECC/LECC working with the emergency management community and
First Responders to determine the appropriate event codes for their area,
including the ones that are recommended as "must carry."And it's also up to
the SECC/LECC working with the emergency management community including
First Responders, to determine who has the authority to issue an EAS
activation. Above all, it's up to the SECC/LECC working with the emergency
management community to make sure the First responders know about EAS and
how to use it. 

The EAS "review" should be part of the "hot wash" that normally follows a
disaster or emergency. Some states have a review process already in place
for AMBER Alerts and find that the review is very helpful for training as
well as insight into the law enforcement process. 

Adrienne

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        This has evolved into something that should not be!  EAS is an
emergency alerting system, NOT A NEWS DISTRIBUTION SERVICE.  I very much
oppose using it for routine updates on news UNLESS it is part of alerting
the public to dangers or providing information on the steps to take the
mitigate things.  Using EAS for the Shuttle disaster, 911 after attacks
reports, or any pure news, non-Alerting to danger use, is flat wrong and
will dilute the system into a boy cried wolf scenario.
        I'm a former radio TV news man and know how easy the misuse would
make the job, but it's just wrong.
Bill

Bill Croghan CPBE WBØKSW
Chief Engineer,
KOMP/KXPT/KENO/KBAD/KWWN/KWID
Co-Chair, Southern NV, Inyo CA EAS operational area Lotus Broadcasting, Las
Vegas, NV