[EAS] Best and Worst of New CAP EAS Rules

[Ed Czarnecki]

No, I think there is actually less to the story than some might think.
Whether or not FEMA actually wanted voice converstion for ADA compliance,
several disabilities groups put information in the record that argued
against text to speech and speech to text.  Others have been pressing the
point at the Commission level on high.

Also, I disagree with a suggestion that was made that the record didn't
reflect reliance on TTS by state systems.  CSRIC briefings, in fact, did
discuss that point (not the current CSRIC, but the prior council I served on
over a year ago).  Plus, FEMA had been providing regular briefings to the
FCC on its activities.

Something got miscommunicated, to say the least.  But it can be fixed.

Ed

-----Original Message-----
From: eas-bounces at radiolists.net [mailto:eas-bounces at radiolists.net] On
Behalf Of Mike McCarthy

You know....with all the teeth gnashing about the text to voice conversion
prohibition, let me add one possible thought.

The FCC went out of it's way to specifically void the use of the conversion
at present. There is something else in the works which I envision will cause
them to revisit and reverse their stated stance in the 5th R&O. FEMA and
others within the feds want the voice conversion for ADA compliance. The FCC
is now at odds with them and the Act. There is something more to this than
what is readily apparent.

I suspect they wanted to stop a potentially run-away train from leaving the
station before all the passengers were on board...if I might use that
euphemism.  Or to stop the bell from being run before a crack is fully
repaired.  We all know how hard it is to un-ring a bell.  hmmmm...

MM