We've been looking around, but we've not been able to find any reports of the public over-reacting to the first-ever national test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). Officials and observers (like us) were concerned that when the test was heard and seen at the same time across the nation on November 7th, some people may over-react. We were concerned some 9-1-1 centers would see a spike in calls. Although no one that we know of was warning that the test shouldn't be conducted because of the possibility, it was a concern nonetheless.
We've been checking with the usual suspects, and we've not been able to find any reports of over-reaction. In fact, we've heard more reaction coming from people who thought they were going to see or hear the test, but didn't.
Advanced publicity about the test obviously helped. EAS participants were aggressive in airing pre-test announcements. Some of the cable companies sent pre-test announcements to all of their subscribers. There was a good bit of media coverage prior to the test. And, in many places, state emergency management agencies were busy spreading the word. Many locals, in turn, spread the word.
There were other factors, too. First, the President's voice was not used in the test. We're not sure using the President's voice was ever a strong consideration, but we do know some people were suggesting that his voice should be used...since the test was to simulate a Presidential message going from the White House to FEMA to EAS participants to the public. Another factor that likely kept the public from over-reacting was shortening the test to thirty seconds. Originally, it was to be three-and-a-half minutes, but a few days before the test, it was shortened to thirty seconds.
Not using the President's voice, and restricting the test to thirty seconds, certainly helped mitigate possible public over-reaction. But, it seems to us that extensive public outreach was the top mitigator.
What a nice example of public-private coordination and cooperation.
All the best,
Rick
Oh, if you know where our hunt for over-reaction missed something, please let us know.
www.galainsolutions.com
