[EAS] The EAS SPW issue and EPI: Time for a national discussion?

[Dave Kline]

Richard and all,

I'm just throwing out some thoughts here.

So far it appears that a "Shelter In Place" warning was used but not transmitted via EAS.
Is it simply because everyone who is already watching/listening was exposed to the message without EAS?
Did the authorities assume that the majority of the population was already tuned in and to further interrupt would have been ineffective or possibly counterproductive?

Some cable systems, when they issue an EAS alert must do so on all channels, including those already carrying pertinent information.
Until cable companies are able to provide EAS alerts on their system while not doing so on designated channels already carrying the alert, then this is a problem.
It is much like watching a local TV station's coverage of Tornados in the area only to have the cable system break in with a TOR that has less information than is being broadcast by the local station.

Or perhaps "Shelter In Place" on EAS was considered to be confusing.
Did the authorities use the phrase "Shelter In Place" or did they simple order everyone to stay inside?
A "Shelter In Place" alert seems more appropriate for severe weather, such as during a blizzard when it would be hazardous to venture out.
And while it was also hazardous to venture out with an armed and dangerous suspect on the loose, it seems that using the "Shelter In Place" may lead the public to other assumptions causing calls to and possibly overloading 911 call centers with folks asking what this alert means?
And did authorities anticipate this problem and not issue via EAS for that reason?
Did they want to be sure the 911 centers would deal with the call that lead to the capture of the suspect.
As it turns out the suspect was only apprehended once the "stay indoors" order was lifted.

This begs the question then. How many average viewers/listeners understand what a "Shelter In Place" alert via EAS really means?
For that matter, how many understand what any of the alerts mean?
Should we not be doing a better job of pubic education about EAS? After all the system's intent is to warn the public.
Who, among average citizens understands the difference between a watch and a warning, or a flood and a flash flood?
Who is ultimately responsible for that education? The EM? The local station? The EAS committee?

Or is the shadow of a botched national EAS alert hanging over our heads and has it contributed to an increased EAS tune out factor by both the public as well as the EM community?
It doesn't matter one bit how many stations successfully relayed the alert when the so many of those stations had to deal with audio that was garbled at best.
EAS is supposed to be about delivering clear, concise, understandable messages to the public.
For the feds to say the national test was a success based on the number of relayed alerts alone does nothing more than reduce the public confidence in government to provide warnings.
The national test is remembered best by the public as being the butt of the joke for late night talk show comedians.
Repeat a similar scenario with the Zombie alert and you have the potential of EAS being perceived, by those who might otherwise use it, as being ineffective.
The gov. needed to do a better job of responding to these EAS problems in a way that instills confidence in the public as well as EAS stakeholders.

As I have often stated in the past, there is nothing inherently wrong with the Emergency Alert System.
The problem lies with how the system is handled by those in charge of doing so.
The technology is not broken so much as is how that technology is implemented.
"Time for a national discussion?" Some would say we have talked it to near death already.
I think it is time for some national action.
Since the start of CAP IPAWS, how many new state plans have been approved by the fed?
And if the numbers are low, who is at fault?
 
That's my two cents.
Thank you all for reading.
Dave

************************************************
Dave Kline   UNO-TV / KVNO
University of Nebraska at Omaha
6001 Dodge St. Omaha, NE  68182  CPACS 200