November 13, 2003

Present:
Terry Spring KWPX-TV
Bill Goodwin Click! Network
Curt Kyle EMD
Mark Allen WSAB
Roland Robinson KSTW
Keith Bride KCPQ-TV
Don White KCPQ/KTWB
Greg Thies KING-TV
Jim Tharp Entercom
Dennis Christensen KIRO-TV
Clay Freinwald Entercom
Dave Hudson Snopac 911
Peter O'Connell KING-TV
Daniel Good Emergency Services
Pat Otis KIRO-TV
Lowell Kiesow KPLU
Kris McGowan FCC
Scott Verneys Comcast

As a reminder. please note that the remailer archives are available. See http://www.broadcast.net/mailman/listinfo/eas-wa

Elimination of the alert tones from RMT's was discussed. When an alert is relayed, the EAS box is supposed to strip off the received tones and put new ones on. If the received tones are noisy or otherwise distorted, the box may not recognize them and replace them with the new tones. This can unnecessarily increase the length of the broadcast test or alert, besides not sounding very good. Only broadcasters are required to send the tones. The state may have to send them in some circumstances to trigger the tone alert radios that are still being used. Because not sending the tones may adversely effect some EAS boxes, more research will be done before any changes are made.

There are changes planned for the state AMBER plan. The WSAB has been meeting with law enforcement to implement a single entry point plan to replace the present multiple entry point plan now in effect. The goal of this change is have a system with consistency and uniformity that will rebuild the broadcaster's confidence in the system. Although the process would start with a local law enforcement entity, the Washington State Patrol would be the gate keeper. They would not issue an alert unless it met their criteria. The decision would be made by a trained, uniformed officer. Many broadcasters are not happy with the AMBER alerts that have been issued so far and could refuse to carry them in the future if changes aren't made. The WSP is willing to take on this task. All AMBER alerts would be state wide. These alerts take some time to issue and be disseminated and it only takes a few hours to go across the state. Few other states have multiple entry points. Most local entities use the WSP as a fall back anyway. The main concern of some local jurisdictions is that the WSP is trying to take over some of their authority. There will be more meetings. The goal is to have the plan ready by the January SECC meeting.

The AMBER web portal is coming soon, in the next 60 days. It is taking time because it is being used as a model for other states. Hopefully, the rest of the country will eventually use it. This will allow the detailed alert information to be distributed to the individual media outlets. It will be up to them to decide how to use it.

The state plan needs to be updated. This is mostly housekeeping to reflect rule changes and other changes. Kris McGowan, Don White, Clay Freinwald, Roland Robinson, and Bob Wyatt will be working on it.

The recent Snohomish County Evacuation Alert was discussed. This alert originated at the scene of the event. Alerts are not originated by broadcasters. Many stations run unattended during at least part of their day. Most 911 centers are staffed 24/7. There was criticism of the presentation of the alert, as in the material being not organized as well as it could have been. Some "fill in the blank templates" are used. These will be examined at the next SECC meeting and possibly modified. The time available for the audio portion of EAS is only two minutes. Also it was questioned why the audio message said to tune to KIRO for more information. No station should be favored over another. It would be better to have people referred to a local media outlet. There were complaints about the audio being noisy. This will be investigated. It was OK during an alert in August. All originators need to be checked regularly. The technical committee will be working on this. It was also suggested that training be given to 911 personnel on use of the microphone.

A big issue with the TV stations is cable over ride. Part of the problem is the system itself, which has been mandated by the FCC. EAS favors radio. The only detailed information is in the audio portion. The EAS crawls provide only vague, basic information. This is the way the system was designed. The problem was addressed in the SBE petition, but the FCC declined to make any changes in the system. This problem occurs in the voluntary part of EAS. The major TV stations will generally either break into programming or make their own crawls which contain more complete, usable information. However, on cable, the cable systems' EAS equipment will only put the basic crawl on the air on all channels, possibly covering up coverage from the broadcast station. Comcast repeats the alert every 55 minutes until it expires. There is a management meeting between Comcast and area station management in the near future to try to come to some sort of agreement locally. This is a national problem and will have to be dealt with at that level. The NAB is involved in this. There are technical problems on the cable side that will have to be solved. Comcast would like to provide more information. The SECC will try to find a way of providing more crawl information. In the meantime, Comcast is going to try to stop their alerts from repeating.

Tab updates were recently sent out on the remailer. Please send any corrections to Clay.

In Spokane, Bob Wyatt is no longer with KHQ, but will still work with EAS.

At the National Weather Service, Davis Peak went on air 11/5. Capitol Peak is testing.

The proposed 2004 RMT schedule was presented by Roland Robinson. A TV broadcaster requested that the October test be moved from early fringe to 11:30 PM. Advertising avails will be tight then due to election advertising. It was approved. The schedule will be finalized when Pierce County lets Roland know when their Lahars test will be in May.

The Technical Committee reported that Jim Tharp made improvements in the antenna system at NWS Seattle. NWS will also not relay ADR messages any more.

At SBE National, Clay will write a new hand book for EAS. The new SBE President, Ray Benedict is pro EAS.

In the local areas, Wenatchee is still trying to set up a meeting. In the Coastal Area, the recent meeting in Montesano went well.

The next meeting will be Thursday, 1/8/04, at 9:30 AM at Camp Murray.

Terry Spring
Chief Engineer
KWPX Seattle

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