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

[Marghanita da Cruz]

Tom Worthington wrote:
> At 04:44 PM 22/03/2009, George Bray wrote:
>> ... Since when is it the ABC's job to provide a national emergency alert
>> system?  ... 
> 
> As far as I can see, there is no legislation specifically requiring 
> the ABC to provide emergency warnings (there is for commercial 
> broadcasters), but they did volunteer for the job and the Minister 
> can direct them to do it.
> 

I think it is the preparedness/training/direction that may have been lacking.
Building Evacuations are practiced and firewardens have training.

The ABC's approach seems to be more emphasis on News rather than emergency
information.

> ABC Newcastle has defined itself by providing important local news and 
information daily but it has also become the destination station during local
events or disasters. One of the most memorable events covered by ABC Newcastle
was the 1989 earthquake.
....
> Another natural disaster covered by the station was the June long weekend 
storm and floods in 2007. A severe low-pressure system caused severe storms to
hit Newcastle on Friday June 8th and widespread flooding to Newcastle and the
Hunter Region throughout the weekend. The storms also battered coal carriers
waiting off the Newcastle coastline and the bulk carrier "Pasha Bulker" was
grounded on Newcastle's Nobby's beach and remained there until salvage crews
were able to refloat her a month later.
>
> The Hunter and Central Coast regions were lashed with severe weather 
conditions that weekend and the NSW Premier declared it a natural disaster. The
storms caused flash flooding, and grounded a bulk carrier the Pasha Bulker on
Nobbys Beach. 1233 ABC Newcastle went into emergency broadcasting mode for 72
hours. Listeners sent in photos of the damage, and stories of amazing heroism,
survival and courage. The 1233 ABC Newcastle team worked in shift work around
the clock to keep listeners, many of who had no power, informed.

<http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2008/03/07/2183117.htm>

What is needed is "emergency bulletins" to be issued by the appropriate agency
and read/transmitted verbatim by the ABC and other stations,
in conjunction with community alarms which should prompt people
to tune into the radio/check websites: Perhaps a special homepage/message
should be displayed across relevant government and other websites.

<snip>
> 
> The Emergency Management Agency moved from Defence to Attorney 
> General's in 2001, but someone seems to have forgotten to change the 
> Telecommunications Act to transfer the natural disasters authority 
> from the Defence minister to the Attorney General.
> 
> The current ad-hoc arrangement of phones and fax machines for 
> communication between the states, commonwealth and broadcasters is 
> not a satisfactory "system".
> 
<snip>

It is worth noting the US (perhaps historical) Approach:

> Department of Commerce
> The Department of Commerce is the government agency tasked with improving living standards for all Americans by promoting economic development and technological innovation.
> 
> The department supports U.S. business and industry through a number of services, including gathering economic and demographic data, issuing patents and trademarks, improving understanding of the environment and oceanic life, and ensuring the effective use of scientific and technical resources. The agency also formulates telecommunications and technology policy, and promotes U.S. exports by assisting and enforcing international trade agreements.
> 
......

> Department of Homeland Security
> The missions of the Department of Homeland Security are to prevent and disrupt terrorist attacks; protect the American people, our critical infrastructure, and key resources; and respond to and recover from incidents that do occur. The third largest Cabinet department, DHS was established by the Homeland Security Act of 2002, largely in response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The new department consolidated 22 executive branch agencies, including the U.S. Customs Service, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Secret Service, the Transportation Security Administration, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
<http://www.whitehouse.gov/our_government/executive_branch/>

And the new/promised approach under Obama:

> Further Amendments To Executive Order 12859,Establishment Of The Domestic Policy Council
> (c) striking "(x) AIDS Policy Coordinator; and" and inserting in lieu thereof "(x) Assistant to the President and Chief Technology Officer;";
<http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Executive-OrderFurther-Amendments-To-Executive-Order-12859Establishment-Of-The-Domestic-Policy-Council/>

and
> Deploy a Modern Communications Infrastructure
> 
>     * Deploy Next-Generation Broadband: Work towards true broadband in every community in America through a combination of reform of the Universal Service Fund, better use of the nation's wireless spectrum, promotion of next-generation facilities, technologies and applications, and new tax and loan incentives. America should lead the world in broadband penetration and Internet access.
....
> Modernize Public Safety Networks: Spur the development and deployment of new technologies to promote interoperability, broadband access, and more effective communications among first responders and emergency response systems.

<http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/technology/>

Marghanita
-- 
Marghanita da Cruz
http://www.ramin.com.au/itgovernance
Phone: (+61)0414 869202