[EAS] Why we need Text-To-Speech

[Adrienne Abbott]

The SECC determines who can issue an EAS activation and those people or positions are usually identified in the state plan (or local). It's a good reason for getting state or local officials involved in EAS. 

Here in the West it's not unusual for a very junior deputy or trooper to be a Watch Commander and the only person on duty when things go south so having training for all levels is important. Most of these people have laptops and Internet in their cars and most dispatch centers have Internet. 

And in some states the AMBER Alert plan is separate from the EAS plan. It also spells who can issue an alert and what the criteria are.

We have not seen an over use of EAS in Nevada. If anything it hasn't been used enough. 

One of the biggest problems now is still cable over ride and with the new rules we will see cases where the detailed local activation is covered by the generic old style alert from the cable operator. 

While there are "Best Practices" no one should be dictating a list of activators for every state. One size does not fit all...
Adrienne

> 
> Is there industry consensus to expand the number of people authorized
> to activate EAS?
> 
> In 1993, almost the exact same example was given as a benefit for the
> new EAS, that local police and fire officials could activate EAS from 
> vehicles and speak directly over radio, television and cable.  Local 
> reporters do stand-ups from (or near) the scene of emergencies on almost 
> every local newscast now, so its not a major technical hurdle.
> 
> But there has been over 20 years of EAS comments expressing concern about 
> over-use of EAS and suggesting only a limited number of officials be able 
> to activate EAS.  In many state and local EAS plans less than a dozen, 
> and often three or fewer officials are authorized.  In some EAS plans, 
> only one local official is authorized to activate EAS.  In several 
> states, AMBER alerts must be authorized by state level officials before 
> releasing through EAS.
> 
> Although emergencies don't happen in quiet cubes or offices, most 
> emergency organizations don't expect a battalion chief or watch
> commander to operate alone.  There are usually support channels and
> specialists for a variety of things.
> 
> State and local use of EAS (and previously EBS) has always been mostly 
> an industry driven program.  So back to the question. Is there industry 
> consensus to expand the number of people authorized to activate EAS if
> CAP makes it possible for any police officer or fire official to issue
> an alert from theirMar 26, 2012, at 2:36 AM, Sean Donelan <sean at donelan.com> wrote: