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

[Clay Freinwald]

Sean- 

Some feedback to items in your post - See below 

Clay

SD-  Don't assume all states work like one state.

CF - Believe me ...I don't.   I am quite familiar with the differences.

SD - I did a quick count of the 56 State EAS plans (50 states, DC, 5
territories)

CF - Curious - Where did you get your data?

SD -  The chair/co-chair are usually one broadcast and one cable
representative.

CF  - This goes back 20 years to the start of EAS when the FCC was only
dealing with their licensees.   EAS has expanded considerably since then.

SD- That's not to discount some of the amazing work being done in states
with individual volunteers. Hearding cats is a difficult job for any person
to do without support.  

CF- I don't at all feel that we have been herding cats in this State.
Perhaps because when we wrote our EAS Plan (20 years ago) it was a very
inclusive process.  We have people on our SECC that were part of that
process.   From the outset we involved all interested stake-holders...

SD -  I salute those one person SECCs.

CF - I do too - However I am concerned that these locations level of EAS
effectiveness and inclusion are limited.   Having been at the helm of
Washingtons EAS effort for 20 years and knowing how far we have come - I
know it would be impossible to operate at this level if it were one person.
Most of us have a 'day-job' and EAS is considered our 'volunteer work'.
The other concern is 'burn-out' .   What happens what that takes place, or
this single person passes? 
I feel that EAS should have a couple of foundational items  1)INCLUSION  2)
COLLABORATION and 3) COOPERATION.    When all the stakeholders come together
good things happen.      Another vital element are functional and active
LECC's

SD -  States with "secret" EAS plans do themselves a disservice, and just
make their own and everyone else's job more difficult.

CF -There should be none ....Ever.     Governments (of all levels),
broadcasters, cable systems, wireless carriers etc etc should openly and
actively work to eliminate them