[EAS] FCC Seeks Comment on Multilingual EAS

[Clay Freinwald]

Robert M wrote- 

Of all this emergency alert stuff, TOR and maybe Tsunami is probably the
most important in areas where they are critical. But that is only if there
is an efficient delivery system of accurate and understandable information.
Unfortunately, the alert  portion of NWS is not always much better than many
underfunded small local stations. They do assist media in delivering weather
conditions. There are many self announcing events but floods and flash
floods are almost always predictable. Broadcast handles that very well
without EAS overhead. 

Some points from the PNW Peanut Gallery - 

1- We need to remember WHY we shifted from EBS to EAS - The prime reason was
to permit un-attended operation of broadcast stations.    EAS Provided
equipment that would fulfill that need.   Today a huge number of radio and
TV operations are un-attended and with EAS Boxes in Automatic Mode - The
word can get out.

2- EAS is great for short fuse events as it provides the sources of public
warning messages with a cool-tool to get the word out in a hurry.     

3- Granted, for larger and more prolonged events, re-broadcasting a radio or
TV operation is an often used option

4- I do not agree that the alert portion of NWS is no better than a small
station - Where is that small station going to obtain the weather
information in the first place?

5 - NWS via NWR will be more viable as they join the IPAWS system via
Haz-Collect that will enable NWR to become more of a all-hazards warning
device.

Clay Freinwald
SECC, Washington State