[sbe-eas] Subject: Re: PEP Stations

[Sean Donelan]

On Sun, 5 Feb 2012, Frank Lucia wrote:

> Some thoughts on possible EAS problems

> 

> 1. power outages - large and small

> 2. generator failures

> 3. EAS equipment failures

> 4. emergency management connectivity especially overnight

> etc.


It depends on what and when people think EAS' role should be.  If EAS is 
only for "alerting" before predictable events, then you don't need to 
worry about many of the things that stop working after a disaster.  If 
EAS still includes the role of that EBS had before, during and after a 
disaster, then you need to worry about gaining attention before an 
event, the impact during the event on the communication systems itself, 
and speedy post-event recovery of the communication systems.

My assumption is the name change was about the expansion from just 
broadcasters (EBS) to include cable and other systems (EAS).  The
name change was not intended reflect a policy change of limiting the
use of the system only for alerts in advance of predictable dangerous 
events.

Before an event:
   Training emergency officials how to activate the alert system
   Public attention is very fragmented before an event, and often
     not paying attention to any communication channel
   Automated facilities, manual processes don't work
   Staffed facilities, automated processes disrupt their work
   Closed circuit channels are needed within the system to maintain
     confidence of the operators (when errors happen, when messages aren't
     clear, when fixing problems, etc)
   Only some types of disaster events are predictable

During an event:
   Alert speed is important for unexpected disaster events
   Public needs to be able quickly recogonize a "real" alert message,
     confirm it and act on it
   Systems which aren't normally used, often fail at the time of a crisis
   Operator error should be expected (originator, aggregator, distributor,
     receiver, etc)
   Power failures are common in all types of disasters
   Communication channel failures are common in all types of disasters
   Diversity, not just redundancy, is needed

After an event (or a disaster becomes multiple disasters)
   An event affecting someone else is a news story, an event affecting
      the broadcaster/cable/satellite/etc itself is a crisis
   How many communications channels are needed after a disaster?  Does
      everything need to work, or just a few minimum essential facilities?
   15 minutes, 8 hours, 72 hours, 30 days, 90 days how long before outside
      help should be expected
   Mutual aid and pre-planned sharing of resources including programming
     sources (i.e. use of EBS/EAS granted automatic re-transmission rights)
   Distributing and integrating post-event official emergency information
     into multiple communication channels (some wall-to-wall, some still
     on automation, interactive channels, internet, paper, etc)
   Not all emergency information needs to go direct to air. After an event,
     even when traditional communication channels may not be working,
     government public information officers still want to get the
     information to reporters wherever they are, continuously, not at just
     the traditional once a day news conference.

All the time:
    Nobody has extra money to spend for stuff.