[EAS] Making a better alerting system

[Tim Stoffel]

A preconditioned Pavlov's dog-like response is what we don't need. Just like every other part of the emergency response system, an informed decision to take action (or not) is the right decision. This is part of the reason we don't need 'sheep fart warnings' or 'lavender alerts'. I think people want to hear alerts if it is something that is going to directly and immediately affect them. Going out and looking for the tornado might be an appropriate response for most folks in a typical alerting area. If you right in the path of the tornado, that's another story, and this requires a different, immediate response. It takes some thinking on the part of an alertee to know what the best course of action is. Everyone in a county cowering in their basement because there is a tornado is one fairly easily described geographic region is an overreaction. Geotargeting is a good idea to minimize this, but it has a long, long ways to go before it will be truly useful and effective.

People need to think, more in some situations, less in others, to be able to respond properly to an emergency situation. The more we try and guide a ptredetermined mass reactiondecision, vs helping folks make an informed decision on their own save the most lives.

And Government needs to learn they can't warn everybody (They have this mistaken notion that perfection is achievable), and there comes  a point where the investment in far-flung emergency becomes worthless.

Tim Stoffel

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-----Original Message-----
From: EAS [mailto:eas-bounces at radiolists.net] On Behalf Of Dave Kline

Alert causing a proper response?
Never happen in people. We allow our higher brain functions (such as they are) to get in the way.
Pavlov's Dogs were acting on a base instinct for food.

What instinct is triggered by a tornado warning in Heartland?
Everyone goes outside to try to see the tornado.