This Is Only A Test
A panel of local and state emergency response officials says that the nation’s disaster alert system is a total mess. The panel was formed after September 11 to improve emergency systems in order to give faster alerts to Americans. Some of the suggestions they came up with were cell phone alerts and a reverse 911 system where officials would call people and inform them on the impending danger.
However, because of a slow response by the federal government to implement these and other suggestions, the panel may soon dissolve. What’s been created instead of a strong national system are local and state warning systems that widely range in their funding. Large cities such as L.A. and San Francisco have well-funded emergency response department, but other West Coast cities don’t even have the funds for a tidal wave warning siren.
Perhaps the alternative to a strong national warning system is to let local and state officials decide what warning systems are best for them given that each region faces different threats based on its geographic location and power facilities (i.e. nuclear power).
Tee hee. I suppose that’s one thing Sacramento deserves some credit for!
Or to build your major cities on the INLAND side of the Coast Range…when will California learn?