In the event of an actual emergency, duck and cover
NOT THE SHARPEST KNIVES IN THE DRAWER: The first-ever national test of the Emergency Alert System at 2 p.m. ET on Wednesday suggests that 10 years after the September 11 terror attacks there is still no reliable way to inform the public of a large-scale catastrophe or attack, The Christian Science Monitor reports:
[O]fficials at the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Washington sent out a live emergency alert notification that was supposed to be accompanied by a "this is only a test" audio and video disclaimer.
In some cases the disclaimer was broadcast. In other cases the message was missing altogether or did not include the audio caveat. …
Others said they didn't see the test at all.
"Did not see it on Comcast in Northern Virginia. Instead, saw about 30 seconds of QVC (was watching MSNBC at test time)," another tweet read.
One reason the alert was not seen by some is that satellite television providers are not yet a part of the Emergency Alert System, FEMA officials say.
It has also been reported that a Lady Gaga song played through the test period for some viewers.
Even if the EAS had worked flawlessly, at that time of day few people were home watching TV to see the alert. In 2006, President Bush signed an order for FEMA and the FCC to develop the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) to send alerts to cell phones and Websites to reach people wherever they are.
Comments