[EAS] NPRM Frustrations

[Adrienne Abbott]

Is it just me or is the FCC over-reaching on this NPRM? What Congressional
pressures are they receiving to push EAS into more corners of the broadcast
universe? It seems like the FCC doesn't understand that an EAS Plan is not a
substitute for a state or local emergency communications plan. EAS is one of
the tools available to an emergency manager or public safety official for
communication information to the community. Not all emergency information is
an EAS activation and not all state or local officials want to issue EAS
activations. Some actually dislike EAS... 

 

As I've read through the NPRM this afternoon multiple warning messages have
been issued here in Nevada. Caltrans wants travelers to know that the there
are two major traffic accidents on the major trans-Sierra highway west of
Reno, that a portion of the highway around Lake Tahoe has been closed by a
washout/rock slide and there are chain controls over the open highways.
Nevada Highway Patrol is warning that icy roads and ground fog will be a
problem for drivers again this evening. The Washoe District Health
Department wants people to know about the dangers of the Zika virus and
local hospitals say an expected surge of over-partied Super Bowl fans will
fill emergency rooms this weekend and possibly cause delays in medical care.
Speaking of wildlife, the Nevada Division of Wildlife is warning Carson City
residents that bobcats roaming the edges of town could be a threat to
domestic cats and dogs, Las Vegas authorities have two people in custody for
yesterday's homicide and they're investigating a string of mailbox
burglaries. Oh, and they are having problems with their 9-1-1 and 3-1-1
services so calls are being routed to Henderson and North Las Vegas  All
this information is flowing to the public from a variety of sources,
including radio and television, the Internet and Social Media. Although some
of these cases are possibly life-threatening, no one seems to think they
warrant an EAS activation. 

 

Many communities, even entire states, operate without using EAS and their
officials don't see the need for activations. Is it the role of the FCC to
force states and local governments into using EAS? Does the FCC have that
authority? Does it seem to anyone else that the FCC is blaming SECC's where
state and local governments lack a commitment to EAS? Why is there so much
emphasis on broadcasters and so little on cable operators and IPTV
providers?  

 

So much frustration, so few solutions...

Adrienne       

 

Adrienne Abbott

Nevada EAS Chair

NVBA  ABIP  Inspector