[EAS] Blue Alerts Are Back

[Dave Kline]

I agree with Tim. Blue Alert situations can be handled by the LEW code.

I think from what I've been reading here that it seems some are proposing a special EAS event code for the Blue Alert.
I just don't see how adding one more special, more specific, code to the mix would make a difference.

Then there are those who complain that there are already too many EAS alerts on the air.
It becomes a tough sell to want to add more. 
You need to carefully choose those alerts that will serve the most good without driving listeners away.
If the duck farts and no one hears it, what good is served?

You also need to get stations on board with some of the lesser used alerts. 
There is nothing wrong with being set up to carry an LEW for instance, as it isn't used enough that it adds to the "cry wolf" effect of too many alerts. 
But to get the stations in your area on board, there needs to be a vehicle in place to address these things with the local stations.

We are fortunate, that we have a County Emergency Manager who understands that sounding the horn too often is just as bad as not sounding it enough.
There needs to be a balance. In our area, I think we've come pretty close.
That is due, in part, to having a local EAS committee in place that is willing to work with the local broadcasters.
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Dave Kline 
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On May 24, 2017, at 10:09 PM, Tim Stoffel wrote:

>What I am wondering from reading this thread, and reading the story Adrienne shared is, is there any real point to a special 'blue' alert that can't be handled in a more normal way, with a simple LEW alert?