[EAS] It's not rocket science...

[Clay Freinwald]

Ron (and others) 

If you read the comments of the Washington State SECC re. the latest EAS
NPRM you will see how we point out that the term 'EAS Plan' no longer shares
the same meaning to all parties.

TO THE FCC - A State EAS Plan provides information as to how presidential
messages (EAN's, NPT's etc) are distributed as well as details as to how the
systems involved are tested (RMT's, RWT's etc).   The Commission assumes
that States will wish to create an SECC but has no mechanism to force states
to do so.  The provide no guidance as to the composition and structure of
the SECC's yet ask that these Committee's create State Plans and handling
Monitoring Assignments.

TO THE STATE (with an active SECC) Their State Plan can go > well beyond<
the FCC's requirements and deal with issues that are little or no interest
to the FCC that are not even mentioned in Part 11. (Amber is a good example)
If you were to examine the Washington State EAS Plan (Yes, it's on line) you
will more fully understand what I'm saying..   

I too was asked to send them a copy of the Washington State Plan - I sent
them a picture of two large 3-ring binders and asked if they wanted all of
this.

We encouraged the FCC to recognize these differences and consider coming up
with a name for those portions of a State EAS Plan that deals with matters
of interest to the Commission.    I feel the FCC could be helpful it they
would prescribe a format and/or structure for those portions of EAS than
they administer that could become a separate, but standardized, portion of
all State EAS Plans

Washington State has been very successful in making the pony trot....Perhaps
we have been lucky, but we have not had any chaos .   This is thanks to a
great group of people who have working together for the past 20 years as
there are a lot of moving part.    If you would like - I can send you a link
to the Washington State EAS plan - Additionally you are welcome to subscribe
to the WaState EAS Remailer (List-Serv) to see what takes place etc.    

Clay Freinwald
Chair, Washington State SECC