[EAS] CA Fires/EAS Activation

[Ed Czarnecki]

It's been a number of years since I was at the Virginia Beach EOC, and it
may be that they have a decoder only (for monitoring), or just do not
actually use it for originating EAS.

Back in 2011, funding was allocated the EMnet the network to include local
governments in Hampton Roads and central Virginia - specifically referencing
dense population areas in advance of hurricanes and other emergencies.  The
funding covered equipment, installation and a multi-year license.  However,
I don't know if the state kept picking up the tab for the system at the
local level, and how these local areas are still using the system.

More specifically, Virginia gave terminals to the cities of Chesapeake,
Hampton, Hopewell, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Richmond, Suffolk,
Virginia Beach and Williamsburg, plus the counties of Accomack,
Chesterfield, Gloucester, Henrico, Isle of Wight, James City, Lancaster,
Mathews, Middlesex, Northampton, Northumberland and York.

Personally, I think there needs to be more engagement between broadcasters
and their local EMAs here in VA.

From: EAS [mailto:eas-bounces at radiolists.net] On Behalf Of Paul Campbell

Ed/Clay, thanks for the feedback. 

Ed:
-I'm unaware if any/how many localities have EMnet terminals. Shows you how
in touch I am with my local EOC's :-) -I didn't know VaBeach had their own
EAS encoder, although I'm not sure how/when they'd encode/transmit and who's
monitoring (other EOC's I guess). At this moment there's no link between us
and them. (Yes, I'm the LP-1)

Clay:
-Regarding contacting a local broadcaster, it's been this way for so long in
my op area that I guess we've simply become a relay and not an originator
(with the exception of the RWT's and RMT's). Maybe this is a good thing, who
knows. I shudder to imagine a local EOC official actually contacting my
studio to request an EVI alert when I can barely get these people to do the
math calculating TPO. 
-I'll admit that I sometimes get a bug in my arse about EAS, however, I
don't view it as unnecessary (I forward TOR's and FFW's as fast as they come
in). I think my frustration sometimes lingers because we're all subject to
some pretty stiff fines and embarrassment if we ever goof, which I'll bet is
the main reason why many broadcasters care about it to begin with.

Anyway, the videos in the wake of those fires were pretty disturbing. I'd
hate for something like that to happen here or anywhere else (again) knowing
that we as broadcasters have the weapons to prevent loss of life, but didn't
use them just because the dominoes weren't setup correctly in the first
place. I hope that makes sense. Thanks.

__________________________________________________________
The EAS Forum Discussion List is hosted by the BWWG (Broadcast Warning
Working Group). http://eas.radiolists.net Please invite your friends to join
our Forum! The sign up is at:
https://lists.radiolists.net/mailman/listinfo/eas
___________________________________________________________