[EAS] 'improving' EAS

[Bill Ruck]

There are good reasons why me being Emperor For Life may not be the best 
idea, but . . .

This list is fully aware of the lack of functionality and the various 
excuses why warnings do not get to the public.

Clearly the inter-agency wars between FEMA and the FCC and the NWS must 
end.  Eliminate silos.

Clearly all 50 SECCs must function.  And their voices must be heard in D.C.

Clearly all OESs and PSAPs and ICs need to step up and get with the program.

Clearly training for funding must be provided.

Clearly the for-profit warning systems need to be more functional and 
more global.  Saw today in the SF Chomicle a full page advertisement by 
Pacific Graft & Extortion for their new fire information system. 
(Aside: If PG&E spent as much money on tree trimming as they have been 
spending on advertisements lately it is likely that last fall's fires 
would not have happened.  But I digress.)

Clearly all media needs to be integrated into a single warning system.

A few years ago at the NAB meeting with FEMA and FCC I asked the 
question about funding for training.  The non-answer was "mumble.  Maybe 
we should look into that."

The US public deserve nothing less than a functional, timely and 
accurate public warning system.

Both a carrot (funding) and a stick (sanctions?) needs to be implemented.

CONELRAD / EBS / EAS has always been an unfunded mandate on state and 
local agencies and the broadcasters and this must change.

Hopefully the pending bills will provide funding for continuing training 
for everybody.  But being an old grey-beard curmudgeon I am not holding 
my breath.  Been there, done that, and the T-shirt wore out a long time ago.

Bill Ruck
Curmudgeon
San Francisco