There will be three sessions devoted to EAS issues on Wednesday, April 9, at the NAB Show.
Starting of, 9–10 a.m. is “The Status and Security of the Emergency Alert System,” moderated by Gary Timm, broadcast chair of the Wisconsin EAS Committee and a well-known EAS expert. Joining Timm will be Antwane V. Johnson, division director, FEMA, Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, Adm. David Simpson, chief, FCC, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, Greg Cooke, associate chief, FCC, Public Homeland Security Bureau, Policy Division and Ari Meltzer, an associate with Wiley Rein. The description notes that multiple government agencies are involved with the EAS system.
At 10–10:30 a.m. is “Statewide CAP-Based EAS Using Web-Based Origination.” This short session features Alabama EAS Coordinator Larry Wilkins and Gary Smith, chief engineer, Cherry Creek Radio demonstrating a practical implementation of a statewide CAP-based Emergency Alert System using a Web-based origination.
In the afternoon, 2–3 p.m., “Effectively Integrating EAS With New Possibilities for Alert Messages,” will confront a known problem of the EAS system — similar messages, with extraneous wording, overwhelming the system during a breaking emergency. How can messages be issued efficiently and clearly?
Richard Rudman of the Broadcast Warning Working Group will moderate. He’ll be joined by Clay Freinwald, chairman of the Washington State SECC, Tim Schott, meteorologist, National Weather Service and Edward Czarnecki, senior director, Strategic Development & Global Government Affairs, Digital Alert Systems.
