[sbe-eas] UI is hard: Why did Floridians wake up to an early-morning emergency alert?

[Larry Wilkins]

Gentlemen:

I have been involved in the state EAS system in Alabama for over 20 years.  We have found that when the system is programmed correctly, and the originators are given the proper training it works very well.  In Alabama we use the GSSNet secure web portal for origination.  Approved originators only have access to the alert codes that have been authorized for them.  In other words, no one can send an alert that they are not authorized to use.

RMT's and CEM's are reserved only for the State Emergency Mangement Agency.  They go through regular training and have instructions posted at the origination position.  One of the steps (which is highlighted in bold red) is to not send the test or alert without reviewing every part of the form a second time before hitting the send button.  The GSS system includes an alert not to send before reviewing all the data.

Again, the system works for us.

 Larry Wilkins CPBE
Director of Engineering Services
Alabama Broadcasters Association
334-303-2525
lwilkins at al-ba.com
www.al-ba.com
________________________________
From: sbe-eas <sbe-eas-bounces at sbe.org> on behalf of Rob Dale <rdale at skywatch.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2023 2:41 PM
To: SBE EAS Exchange - a mail list for discussion about the Emergency Alert System and other emergency communication issues. <sbe-eas at sbe.org>
Subject: Re: [sbe-eas] UI is hard: Why did Floridians wake up to an early-morning emergency alert?


What is the flaw in the software? When given a selection, someone decided to choose Civil Emergency Message and not Required Monthly Test.

That’s a big miss ??



From: Sean Donelan<mailto:sean at donelan.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2023 9:54 AM
To: sbe-eas at sbe.org<mailto:sbe-eas at sbe.org>
Subject: [sbe-eas] UI is hard: Why did Floridians wake up to an early-morning emergency alert?



Alert Origination Software user interface still suck.  Alert Originators

still get confused how to send alerts and surprised by who gets those

alerts.  It will be blamed as "operator error", but is actually a software

design flaw because humans will be humans.


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