[EAS] Cell Phone Warning Failure

[Sean Donelan]

On Mon, 3 Jul 2017, Richard_Rudman wrote:
> That word is "denial".
>
> Credible quantities of peer-reviewed social science deals with trying 
> to get a public at risk through the initial stages of a declared major 
> emergency -- when they are in what amounts to a state of denial that 
> contributes to milling.
>
> I have mentioned this before, but for those interested now: 
> http://www.start.umd.edu/people/dennis-mileti

Researchers continue to study how to improve public warnings and 
speeding public response (i.e. milling and speed of decision)....

However the research is clear on things that worsen or delay public 
response.

For example....

  - Activate warning systems with no messages with the warning signal

  - Using incomprehensible jargon and abbrevations

  - Inconsistent messaging from different agencies or channels

  - Official confusion about how to use warning systems to alert the public

Some states do it well, mostly because they get regular practice from 
natural disasters.  Other states don't.

I think NY-Alert is on the right track.  NY-Alert encourages agencies to 
use it for "minor" alerts, which don't activate EAS or WEA, such as road 
accidents. This helps familarize local agencies with NY-Alert system in 
case its needed for "major" alerts.