[LINK] National Emergency Alert System (was ABC Mobile Web Site Failed Accessibility Test

[George Bray]

On Sun, Mar 22, 2009 at 11:45 AM, Tom Worthington
<Tom.Worthington at tomw.net.au> wrote:

> If the ABC is unable, or unwilling, to plan an effective emergency service,
> the Australian Government could reduce ABC funding and use the money to
> implement something like the US Emergency Alert System (EAS). But I do not
> think that is a good idea:
> <http://www.tomw.net.au/blog/2009/03/australian-emergency-alert-system.html>.


Since when is it the ABC's job to provide a national emergency alert
system?  Certainly they've stepped into the breech in times of crisis
but I doubt they are currently funded for such activities.  Perhaps if
they were, delays in sounding the warning signal would be shortened,
and a comprehensive online and broadcast system could be developed.
You seem to allude to this future scenario on your blog posting, so I
don't see how you can suggest they lose funding for a task that's not
in their current charter and budget.

I suggest your proposal for a community warning system provides
*additional* funding to the organisations whom you're intending to
operate it.

You blog: "This is to propose that Australian governments build a
national community warning system. Such a system can be in place for
the 2009/2010 bush-fire season at a cost of less than $10M."

How has this cost been determined?  With the consultation of the
carriers and broadcasters?  An underfunded system of this nature is
likely to fail quite spectacularly.

George


-- 
George Bray, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.