[EAS] [sbe-eas] More on the Review of the Emergency Alert System from today's FCC Daily Digest

[Adrienne Abbott]

Sean--
You asked "Has any EAS SECC or LECC ever turned down a request from any
non-english broadcaster to become a LP-S, LP-A, B, C, D, etc. and volunteer
to translate messages in real time?  In most parts of the country, the
SECC/LECC is usually begging for volunteers.  I don't understand how a FCC
rule mandating an LP-S or LP-M station is going to create new volunteers?"

You are right...The FCC can mandate all they want, but that doesn't mean
it's going to happen, especially when they have repeatedly emphasized that
EAS is a "volunteer" system. 

Here in Nevada we've had several Spanish stations express an interest in
serving as an LP-S, only to back out as soon as they find out that they
would need to have someone available 24/7/365 to translate an EAS activation
ASAP. None of our Spanish language stations are live 24/7. Many of them are
automated and run programming which originates in LA or Texas or even
out-of-country. Some Spanish language broadcasters have also told me that if
there was a wide-spread disaster, they would stay home and help their
families rather than go to their stations, even if it meant the station
would go off the air. 

The Washoe County Emergency Manager, Aaron Kenneston, is taking the lead on
developing a relationship with a local "language bank" to build a cadre of
volunteers who would be available anytime to translate public warnings, not
just EAS information, for our Spanish media and when needed, for some of the
60+ other languages spoken in our area. 

I would encourage any SECC to work with their local emergency managers on
working with a local "language bank". These volunteers work mainly with the
courts and health care providers but could become a resource for public
warning and public information for both emergency officials and
broadcasters. 
Adrienne

Adrienne Abbott
Nevada EAS Chair
NVBA  ABIP  Inspector