[EAS] Code Red

[nevadaeas at charter.net]

Bennett Kobb writes:
If the alerting software or its associated cloud are compromised, that can affect ability to send to IPAWS. Fortunately there are lots of competitors to CodeRED. Some authorities are reportedly looking to switch vendors.

Without access to the CodeRed/OnSolve program, Nevada and other state users have no direct access to EAS. Theoretically, the backup would be through the Local Primary stations. However, our LP stations are not staffed 24/7, leaving it up to the three National Weather Service WFOs to issue an activation at oh-dark-hundred. All we can do is: hope the local emergency official knows enough to call NWS and ask them to issue a HazCollect activation for that big, nasty cloud of ethylmethylbadstuff and: hope that the radio and TV stations have their equipment programmed to receive and rebroadcast whatever Event Code the WFO uses for that activation. The combination of hoping this works and that works for the next couple of weeks is more than a little unnerving, as is the prospect of calling the CodeRed office and asking them ton contact the FEMA IPAWS office to issue the alert. 

Seriously, we are talking about a government agency which selected the lowest bidder for a life-saving program, and that bidder is supplying us with oats which have already been through the horse. 
Adrienne 

Adrienne Abbott, W6BCY
Nevada EAS Chair, Emeritus