[EAS] Wildfires -- Colorado re-learning the lessons California learned

[Sean Donelan]

On Fri, 31 Dec 2021, Dave Kline wrote:
> In this particular instance, it may be prudent to hold comments until 
> we better understand what went into the decision making processes. 
> Though I agree, it seems to beg some questions to be addressed in an 
> after action evaluation. Relief and recovery are the immediate 
> priorities.

Its always "too soon" and then it becomes "look forward, not backward."

Is it too soon for other states learn lessons from California's 
2018, 2019, 2020 wildfire experiences?

http://calalerts.org/guidelines.html

Yes, wildfires can spread very quickly. Other events happen quickly too, 
that's why public alerting systems were designed for quick response.  NWS 
goal is to warn about tornados approaching with 15 minutes notice 
(although forecasting has improved, and watch areas are known days in 
advance). Lessons learned in California that many local emergency 
officials didn't know about their alerting options, mistaken about their 
alerting capabilities, mistaken about public social science (cause a 
panic), or just didn't have the money.

During the 2018-2019 california wildfires, Local california emergency 
officials used social media and "opt-in" methods such as twitter and 
facebook, but didn't realize how those social  media methods only reached 
a minority portion (usually less than 25%) of the public in time.

Even Everbridge, a vendor of "opt-in" alerting systems has an after-action 
report

Lessons Learned from the California 2020 Wildfire Season
https://go.everbridge.com/rs/004-QSK-624/images/Everbridge%20Lessons%20Learned%20from%20the%20California%202020%20Wildfire%20Season%20White%20Paper%20Final%20Copy.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1aADGP8RquUCdiK2RlWZ1KFPwtapUIp7fJ2GJV9h2osIOzjqlr9_Tlmyo

"1) Rethinking Opt-in Campaigns

Opt-in campaigns have largely failed. By measure, a successful campaign
is considered to account for 25% of your community population. The LNU
Lightning Complex Fire further highlighted this issue. Residents waited to
receive emergency alerts telling them to evacuate, but they never received
them. This wasn't because they weren't sent; they just were unaware that 
they needed to register to receive them."

We will learn about the heroic efforts in Boulder County.  If you found 
the Boulder County social media sites, they were constantly updating the 
information. But, like in California, Boulder County didn't use public 
alerting system options to reach people beyond that in their community.

What if the NWS just tweeted about tornados and weather events 
instead of spending all that money on public alerting systems?