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Is EAS Appropriate for the BART Fire?

D

DavidKaye

BART has 55,000 transbay riders on a typical day, and 89,000 on its peak day a few years ago. That commute was interrupted by today's fire. But also, there was a 2-hour delay for car commuters as many switched from BART to autos, affecting even more people.

Should EAS have been used to tell people about the problem? Is this a good use for EAS? I notice that EAS is activated during stormy weather when creeks are about to overflow, but these creeks only affect a few hundred to maybe a couple thousand people. Why would creek flooding be a more appropriate use for EAS than a BART fire?
 
DavidKaye said:
BART has 55,000 transbay riders on a typical day, and 89,000 on its peak day a few years ago. That commute was interrupted by today's fire. But also, there was a 2-hour delay for car commuters as many switched from BART to autos, affecting even more people.

Should EAS have been used to tell people about the problem? Is this a good use for EAS? I notice that EAS is activated during stormy weather when creeks are about to overflow, but these creeks only affect a few hundred to maybe a couple thousand people. Why would creek flooding be a more appropriate use for EAS than a BART fire?
Click to expand...

I've always thought of EAS being a mechanism for communicating danger of life, limb or property. In your example, it just ruined people's day. Albeit, A LOT of people. :)
 
DavidKaye said:
BART has 55,000 transbay riders on a typical day, and 89,000 on its peak day a few years ago. That commute was interrupted by today's fire. But also, there was a 2-hour delay for car commuters as many switched from BART to autos, affecting even more people.

Should EAS have been used to tell people about the problem? Is this a good use for EAS? I notice that EAS is activated during stormy weather when creeks are about to overflow, but these creeks only affect a few hundred to maybe a couple thousand people. Why would creek flooding be a more appropriate use for EAS than a BART fire?
Click to expand...
No. Radio and TV stations can carry such news without adding the extra layer of EAS. Besides, if we aren't listening, and the numbers suggest many of us aren't, then EAS won't help.
 
No. Radio and TV stations can carry such news without adding the extra layer of EAS. Besides, if we aren't listening, and the numbers suggest many of us aren't, then EAS won't help.
[/quote]

But isn't this true of all messages broadcast by EAS?
 
DavidKaye said:
No. Radio and TV stations can carry such news without adding the extra layer of EAS. Besides, if we aren't listening, and the numbers suggest many of us aren't, then EAS won't help.
Click to expand...

But isn't this true of all messages broadcast by EAS?


[/quote]Most, but not all. There are circumstances in other areas of the country where advanced warning can be beneficial, but once it has become breaking news the EAS burps don't add much.
 
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