[EAS] Blue Alerts Are Back

[Gary Timm]

Although I will continue to monitor the lists and consider other opinions, at this point I agree with Suzanne that having a separate Blue Alert code would allow all EAS Participants the choice to either opt-in or opt-out of these alerts without affecting the airing of other alerts that would fall under LEW.

The FCC will vote on and likely approve this idea of a separate Blue Alert EAS code at its June meeting.  I was encouraged to read in a recent Broadcasting & Cable magazine article that Chairman Pai said, "If its approved, we'll then seek public opinion on whether the EAS is the right way to deliver Blue Alerts.  We'll also explore whether a dedicated EAS code can enable the uniform, nationwide delivery of Blue Alerts to the public, as envisioned by the Blue Alert Act.  We'll also ask whether Blue Alerts could be delivered through the complimentary, but separate, Wireless Emergency Alert system."

So it sounds like an NPRM will be coming, the FCC is open to various approaches, and we'll all have an opportunity to weigh in at that time.  Stay tuned - and be sure to comment!

Gary Timm, Broadcast Chair
WI SECC

From: Suzanne Goucher <suzanne at mab.org>

>>Blue Alert situations can be handled by the LEW code.<<

I'd argue for a separate code for Blue Alerts.  Maine and several other states do not use EAS for Blue Alerts (or Silver Alerts, for that matter, because of the risk of chartreuse/teal/fuchsia/yellow ochre* alert fatigue and overload).  Having a separate code would mean that states that want to use EAS could do so, and in those that don't, LEW could still be reserved for other law enforcement-related alerts -- riots in the streets, nuclear lobsters attacking the coast, whatever -- without stations having to air Blue Alerts as part of the LEW "basket."  Just my $0.02.  The only other new codes I recall as having been added in the past 20 years are CAE for Amber Alerts and the three new hurricane-related weather codes (actually two warnings and a watch).

*It's been quite a while since I've had my hands on a box of 64 Crayolas, but as others have noted, that's where this whole "color alert" trend may lead us.

-Suzanne Goucher, Maine Association of Broadcasters

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