[EAS] [BC] What's the point of LP-1s anymore?

[Larry Wood]

When I worked for Clear Channel in San Francisco up until the year 2000, it was made clear to us that no engineering money could be spent making the facility hardened for earthquake or any other disaster. Any money requested based on providing a public service during time of need would be denied. At least they were honest about their priorities. It was also a signal to the engineers as to how to word requests for better facilities. All the engineers wanted the stations to stay on the air no matter what. Today all the iHeart stations in SF are in much better shape than they were 20 years ago thanks to the engineers. And all the engineers have a backup plan in their minds as to how they would keep going in an emergency. Hopefully the management will let them get on with it if needed.

By the way... Is it time to bring up "First Informer" laws? We requested San Francisco Press Passes for the engineers at KQED-FM. We are the LP-2. The City of San Francisco said NO. Getting the studios and transmitters going again after an earthquake, or other disaster, seems like a No Brainer to me.

Cheers,

Larry Wood, CPBE
KQED-FM

From: EAS [mailto:eas-bounces at radiolists.net] On Behalf Of Botterell, Arthur at CalOES

I'm afraid you've cut to the heart of it, Clay. For whatever reasons the broadcasters are no longer seen as reliable local partners. That's why I think we need to start thinking about a National Warning Grid that can include whoever wants to be included, but without breaking if someone chooses otherwise.

Just as an example, the current AWARN marketing initiative for ATSC 3 TV is trying to sell past this concern with vivid demos and promises, but the underlying problem remains. Corporate media show no strategic interest in public warning, now that it's no longer seen as part of the quid-pro-quo of their licenses, and so a yawning gap has opened between what technology can do and what warning programs can get done. I see no way to break through, and so I'm looking for ways around.