[EAS] Deja Vu: Boulder officials questioned over effectiveness of emergency notification system

[Dave Turnmire]

On 1/7/2022 10:21 AM, Sean Donelan wrote:
> Broadcast systems like WEA and EAS alert 50% to 80% of people in a 
> wider area, and don't require actively subscribing to different local 
> systems. By their nature broadcast alert systems reach more people in 
> (and nearby). 
I've been a broadcaster for 45+ years, and have served on our SECC for 
many years... so I'd love to agree with that.  But in regards to EAS.... 
having RF reach the bodies of 80% of the people isn't quite the same as 
them having a radio turned on... or a TV turned on and tuned to a local 
station.  Fortunately, in my state, broadcasters tend to forward EAS 
alerts (other than maybe SVRs).  But lots of places that isn't true... 
some of which make up for it with an actual news department... and 
plenty that don't.

EAS is a tool with pluses and minuses... just like WEA... and social 
media.  From my standpoint... when faced with something that can affect 
as many lives as a major fire... EVERY TOOL available should be used... 
and as quickly as possible.  All the better if emergency management has 
a tool that can automate the distribution via as many methods as 
possible with minimal duplication  of effort.  Aside from reaching more 
people, it gives them multiple copies of the SAME message... which helps 
with moving them to action..

Dave