[EAS] The coming evolution of CAP-EAS

[Richard_Rudman]

Bill sums up a symptom of non-use of EAS. It isn't just that originators in the EM community are not using EAS. The emergency management community has not embraced the concept of using emergency public information as a key first level resource during the response phase of emergencies. While I am happy that Bill is going to try to make the case for EAS to APCO, this really needs to be a discussion with NEMA* and IAEM**, not just APCO, to make real headway.

Warnings have to be more than telling people at risk that s storm or a toxic cloud is coming their way. I will not repeat the definition of an effective emergency public information warning that is in a report the PPW*** wrote, but a warning should include specific steps the public needs to take to protect themselves, or refer to where the public needs to get that information.

The case for use of EAS by the EM community who can make that happen has to include more in the "doorbell" argument. To extend the metaphor, people have to know what and why they are opening the door for. 

When we talk to decision makers in the EM community at all levels, including APCO:

1. Ask if at any point during response there are things they would like the public to do or not do that would help.
2. Make the case that EAS and other public warnings systems can do just that.
3. Explain how CAP can make this easier to accomplish
4. Ask them to elevate Emergency public information to top level reporting within the incident command structure, not an adjunct. 

There are examples of EM organizations that are already there. We know Washington State is in the forefront at the state level. Contra Costa County in California has the right idea too. 

I have been talking to California EM's about EAS sessions at upcoming national and regional meetings. If any of you on this list know NEMA or IAEM people, please talk to them about this if you think it is important.

Richard

*   NEMA  = National Emergency Management Association (State emergency managers)
**  IAEM   =  International Association of Emergency Managers (local and state EM professionals)
*** PPW   =  Partnership for Public Warning

On Nov 4, 2012, at 8:52 PM, Bill Ruck wrote:

> The origination end -- local governments -- need help to get using 
> EAS, let along CAP.  The biggest issues are (1) state and local plans 
> and (2) money for training everyone in the chain, from dispatcher to 
> incident commander, to OES, etc.  I think more of this group needs to 
> join the forum.