[EAS] SBE list thread on lack of warnings

[Richard Rudman]

I just posted my comments on the SBE EAS list regarding an idea posted by a subscriber:

>>On Feb 24, 2018, at 3:44 PM, Sean Donelan <sean at donelan.com> wrote:

>>For example, in California maybe it should be CalFire's responsibility to issue public wildfire warnings. CalFire has more experience with wildfires, and usually already coordinating the wildfire response with local officials. Likewise, should CalOES be responsible for issuing more types of public warnings in coordination with county and local communities.

Sean:

Your suggestion sounds like a good idea, but potentially counterproductive if not dangerous.

1. Never forget. All emergencies are local.

2. Local or regional fire services and LEO's as first responders on scene are best able to assess what EPI messages and warnings need to go out to the public.

3. As good as CalFire is (and they are really good) their major divisions are Southern and Northern regions. They are not everywhere, not are they staffed year round as they are during our fire season.

4. CalFire does not come in to oversee operations for wildfires that can be contained and controlled by local departments or regional mutual aid. 

5. To say CalFire has more experience with wildfires does not tell the whole story. Local agencies, not CalFire, know neighborhoods in high risk areas when minutes count.

6. Warning issues related to the Thomas Fire and the associated mudslide are still being assessed. My early take is that we should be teaching preparedness starting in grade schools including evacuation protocols and measures like having essentials packed and ready to leave on a moment's notice. This applies to almost any emergency I can think of with the potential for an evacuation order.

7. My personal feeling is that talking about voluntary and mandatory evacuations can be confusing to civilians. In theory, ignoring a mandatory evac. order can be a crime in states that have enacted mandatory evacuation laws with penalties. In practice, I have a number of friends who ignored a "mandatory" order for the Thomas Fire who have not and will not be prosecuted. OTOH, 20 people who did not evacuate in Montecito are dead.

I could go on, but I really hope you get the idea.

Richard Rudman
Vice Chair, CA SECC