09:07:21 PM Amy Sebring:I would like to re-introduce Darryl Parker... 09:07:22 PM Darryl E Parker:Actually, we're working on a project like that.... 09:07:37 PM Amy Sebring:Vice President of Business Developement... 09:07:37 PM Darryl E Parker:It's an EAS telephone that contains a receiver. 09:07:44 PM Amy Sebring:TFT Inc. 09:07:52 PM Amy Sebring:http://www.tftinc.com 09:08:10 PM Amy Sebring:TFT is in the EAS, Emergency Alert System business. 09:08:23 PM Amy Sebring:Darryl, how did TFT get into this particular line? 09:08:52 PM Darryl E Parker:About 21 years ago, TFT developed encoders and decoders for the old Emergency Broadcast System. 09:09:18 PM Darryl E Parker:When we went to the federal government about five years ago in the revamp process, we suggested... 09:09:41 PM Darryl E Parker:that the FCC adopt a system similar to what NOAA had for NOAA Weather Radio.. 09:10:13 PM Darryl E Parker:...and adapt it for use as an Emergency Alert System, rather than have two totally different structures for the whole country. 09:10:51 PM Amy Sebring:And the rest is history? 09:11:10 PM Darryl E Parker:We worked with the National Weather Service to refine what they had and make it suitable for very porr voice-grade circuits, such as POTS or even AM or SSB broadcast. 09:11:42 PM Darryl E Parker:Well, it's not history yet. We still have the cable industry to go and industrial markets to deveopl. 09:11:52 PM Darryl E Parker:Then there's a big consumer aspect, too. 09:12:11 PM Amy Sebring:From our end, it sure looks like FEMA got involved very late in the process, or are they? 09:12:33 PM Darryl E Parker:Really FEMA got involved to help publicize the new system. 09:13:15 PM Amy Sebring:Did people not realize how valuable it would be at the local level at first? 09:13:16 PM Darryl E Parker:It seems that the FCC, which regulates the 14,000 or so radio broadcasters, 1,00 television stations, and 14,800 cable headends, 09:13:38 PM Darryl E Parker:...only printed 500 copies of Part 11 of their Rules... 09:13:46 PM Darryl E Parker:...not enough to go around. 09:14:18 PM Darryl E Parker:FEMA stepped in and tried to at least take the information to a regional level rather than leave it strictly at the federal level. 09:14:58 PM Darryl E Parker:FEMA is still involved with distribution of the President's message in time of national emergency. 09:15:23 PM Darryl E Parker:In fact, the whole reason the system exists is because of an executive order that must be renewed every four years. 09:15:32 PM Amy Sebring:There seemed to be a lack of leadership? during the transition from the old to the new... 09:15:48 PM Amy Sebring:I am sure there are some locals that STILL don't know there has been a change. 09:15:56 PM Darryl E Parker:Amy, I really think it was a lack of funding, rather than leadership. 09:16:22 PM Amy Sebring:Tell us about the strategy you have for cable. 09:16:23 PM Darryl E Parker:The FCC, in budget crunches, got caught without having funds to educate and promote. 09:16:44 PM Darryl E Parker:For cable, the FCC has mandates two tiers: 09:17:07 PM Darryl E Parker:Systems with more than 10,000 subscribers, and systems with less. 09:17:25 PM Darryl E Parker:Those with more than 10,000 subscribers must be EAS compliant by December 31, 1998. 09:17:39 PM Darryl E Parker:Those less than 10,000 must be by October 1, 2002. 09:18:07 PM Darryl E Parker:We only build the encoders and decoders; other companies build the character generator and switching equipment. 09:18:24 PM Darryl E Parker:And there are several issues that the Commission has yet to resolve. 09:19:04 PM Amy Sebring:You have an encoder that will generate a signal for in home alert devices? 09:19:05 PM Darryl E Parker:There is a Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making that will decide whether a cable operator can interrupt a over-the-air broadcaster to send an EAS alert. 09:19:41 PM Darryl E Parker:Broadcasters contend that with sophisticated radar and information from met sources, they may have more recent information. 09:20:35 PM Darryl E Parker:We are trying to help EMs understand that they place the largest role in EAS: 09:20:42 PM Darryl E Parker:That of message originator. 09:21:17 PM Darryl E Parker:Now with EAS coming on line, an EM has the whole system at his disposal. 09:21:55 PM Amy Sebring:Darryl, I understand that the hearing impaired also have an interest in the cable rule making. 09:22:19 PM Darryl E Parker:Yes, we have worked with several groups. 09:22:37 PM Darryl E Parker:The deaf and hard-of-hearing community successfully lobbied the Commission... 09:23:03 PM Darryl E Parker:to adopt rule making that requires that the EAS message be displaced on every channel in a cable system, 09:23:19 PM Darryl E Parker:as opposed to being selectively displayed on only one or two channels. 09:23:41 PM Darryl E Parker:The same community is now pushing for real-time translation of voice messages into text. 09:24:03 PM Darryl E Parker:The technology is there, of course, just not the funding. 09:24:43 PM Amy Sebring:We usually open up our discussion at this point. 09:24:54 PM Amy Sebring:There are lots of topics here. 09:25:03 PM Darryl E Parker:Questions? 09:25:17 PM Amy Sebring:Rick, have the state offices played a role in California? 09:25:48 PM Amy Sebring:That is in providing the leadership I mentioned? 09:25:49 PM Rick Tobin:Well, there is quite a story about the open versus closed captioning issue... 09:26:30 PM Rick Tobin:The State cannot force broadcasters to install open captioning, and there is no federal funding, so it has been a struggle, and it is still a hot button issue here. 09:27:14 PM Amy Sebring:In our state, they got the idea that they would never need a state-wide system... 09:27:18 PM Darryl E Parker:Rick? 09:27:34 PM Amy Sebring:because we are so large, but there certainly could be regional uses. 09:27:42 PM Rick Tobin:We have a great champion on OES staff, Stan Harter, who has really pushed the envelope to get broadcasters together. But it is tough. 09:28:00 PM Rick Tobin:Go, Darryl. 09:28:28 PM Darryl E Parker:Actually, cable franchise authorities can require more stringent requirements than the FCC. 09:28:57 PM Darryl E Parker:That was an issue; cable said federal statutes would override local or state. Now the FCC has claried the matter. 09:29:05 PM Amy Sebring:Yes, I need to check out our local authority in that area. 09:29:29 PM Darryl E Parker:As long as there is no direct conflict, local authorities (franchise, that is) can force tighter specs and earlier deadlines for cable. 09:29:37 PM Amy Sebring:Tell us about your inhome device Darryl. 09:29:48 PM Amy Sebring:Is that an alternative? 09:29:58 PM Amy Sebring:I meant the in home cable device. 09:30:02 PM Rick Tobin:Yes, you are right. But it really was the major broadcasters that drag...and they aren't carried by cable here. 09:30:40 PM Darryl E Parker:The Cable Home Alert is a unit about the size of one's hand that plugs into a wall outlet, has a bettery, connects to the CATV drop, and flashes a bright light and sounds a buzzer whenever there is an EAS alert... 09:30:53 PM Darryl E Parker:...such as at night during sleeping hours. 09:31:07 PM Darryl E Parker:It operates independent of television and radio sets. 09:31:24 PM Amy Sebring:and when the alert goes off? 09:31:34 PM Darryl E Parker:By the way, we call Stan the "Disaster Master."! 09:32:37 PM Darryl E Parker:Local authorities and the cable operator negotiate when the alert goes off. It can even be independent from any type of interrupt system that the cable operator may have in place. 09:33:31 PM Amy Sebring:Will it go off for all cable customers or is it addressable? 09:33:52 PM Darryl E Parker:We are even talking to major insurance companies and large retailers and other socially responsible businesses about sponsorships. 09:34:17 PM Darryl E Parker:It is addressable to "all" or "one of 16" zones. 09:34:40 PM Amy Sebring:When it goes off, the customer must tune into other sources to find out what is going on? 09:34:53 PM Darryl E Parker:That's correct. 09:35:12 PM Darryl E Parker:But he will be alerted even if the TV set is turned off. 09:35:21 PM Amy Sebring:Yes, I see. 09:36:11 PM Amy Sebring:So tell Rick and Megan about the phone you are developing also. 09:36:38 PM Darryl E Parker:The EAS telephone incorporates a receiver into an ANI telephone. 09:36:49 PM Rick Tobin:As you can tell, those with visual or hearing impairment have a real problem with this system, depending on the time of day and their location in a home. 09:37:02 PM Darryl E Parker:This way a consumer can actually read a message on the display. 09:37:27 PM Rick Tobin:But no system is perfect. That's why there are TTY/TDD systems. 09:37:33 PM Darryl E Parker:The unit will "ring" anytime there is an alert that fits criteria set in its memory. 09:37:42 PM Darryl E Parker:....and it can be used as an ordinary telephone, answering machine, too. 09:38:13 PM Darryl E Parker:Yes, we have to have a myriad of tools at the disposal of the EM; no single method will reach 100%. 09:38:37 PM Rick Tobin:Any ideas on the base cost of the phone? 09:38:46 PM Amy Sebring:Rick, we still have the problem of the "lousy messages" you referred to yesterday. 09:38:53 PM Darryl E Parker:Not really, but we are targeting about $60. 09:39:30 PM Amy Sebring:The only guidance we have received in that area... 09:39:40 PM Amy Sebring:was some of the same old same old. 09:40:05 PM Amy Sebring:We really need for someone to coordinate and develop guidance for the messages themselves. 09:40:33 PM Rick Tobin:I'd love to take that on. That ties to EAS, also. A great medium, but garbage in, garbage out. 09:40:41 PM Amy Sebring:That is what has broadcasters AND NWS the most leary. 09:40:54 PM Amy Sebring:I have experienced that directly. 09:41:04 PM Amy Sebring:Are you aware of any efforts in this area Darryl? 09:41:13 PM Darryl E Parker:Some states have set up "central clearinghouses" for emergency messages, such as Florida. Unfortunately, in Texas the Department of Public Safety is unwilling to accept that role. 09:41:19 PM Rick Tobin:Darryl, has your company thought about providing soft issue consulting to go with the hardware? 09:41:33 PM Amy Sebring:How do you mean central clearinghouses. 09:42:05 PM Darryl E Parker:Yes, we have, but we are principally hardware/software/manufacturing... 09:42:23 PM Darryl E Parker:We do work with Federal Signal's FWS group for such matters. 09:43:07 PM Rick Tobin:Sounds like a booklet---short and sweet--- from the FCC would be helpful. 09:43:22 PM Amy Sebring:Clearinghouses? Not heard of anyone doing that. 09:43:26 PM Darryl E Parker:In Florida, a duty operator at Tallahassee accepts messages from any authority in Florida... 09:44:15 PM Darryl E Parker:then the message is formatted and produced by someone who has been trained in the "art", rather than someone who has "mike fright", may be unfamiliar with the procedures, pressures, etc. 09:44:42 PM Darryl E Parker:North Carolina and Virginia have similar programs. 09:45:08 PM Amy Sebring:Will have to check into that. This is the first I have heard of a centralized approach. 09:45:29 PM Rick Tobin:Darryl, as you know, a state with powerful counties, like California, might have problems with that application. 09:45:30 PM Darryl E Parker:You might want to speak with Tom Ditt in North Carolina. 09:45:39 PM Darryl E Parker:I'll have to look up the contact in Florida. 09:45:43 PM Amy Sebring:Thanks, will do. 09:46:04 PM Amy Sebring:Will never happen here in Texas. 09:46:10 PM Darryl E Parker:Yes, in California it's an entirely different issue. 09:46:32 PM Darryl E Parker:We have one broadcaster, Jimmy Gabbert, in San Francisco, who is trying to pull them together, 09:46:47 PM Darryl E Parker:with the help of Stan Harter, but the pulling is all uphill. 09:46:47 PM Rick Tobin:Bless his heart if he can pull it off 09:47:00 PM Amy Sebring:I can tell you what happened with Texas City... 09:47:32 PM Amy Sebring:They have a media consultant by the name of Chuck Wolf who was working with Galveston County.. 09:47:52 PM Amy Sebring:and some Houston LEPC's. They came up with a pre-agreed script to cover likely scenarios. 09:48:07 PM Amy Sebring:The message I saw yesterday was his script almost verbatim. 09:48:20 PM Amy Sebring:I still would like to find out how the broadcast part worked. 09:48:33 PM Darryl E Parker:Amy? 09:48:51 PM Amy Sebring:Texas City is between Houston and Galveston... 09:49:02 PM Amy Sebring:Houston as you can imagine is a MAJOR media market... 09:49:11 PM Amy Sebring:and Texas City is somewhat on the fringe. 09:49:30 PM Amy Sebring:Just wondering if the broadcast EAS message got out, by whom, and to whom. 09:50:47 PM Amy Sebring:How many people received, and by which medium. 09:50:53 PM Rick Tobin:Daryl, have the Canadians looked at the EAS since turnover from EBS? 09:51:17 PM Darryl E Parker:I'm sure Erol Coker at KTRH, the LP-1 for the area, would have the details. I'll be happy to call him tomorrow morning and report back to you. 09:51:27 PM Darryl E Parker:Actually, the Canadians were some of the leaders. 09:51:40 PM Amy Sebring:Well, I think it would make a very good study of effectiveness. 09:51:50 PM Darryl E Parker:One group had a very, very complicated and very, very expensive weather-based system. 09:52:20 PM Darryl E Parker:I think the Canadians are now in the mode of understanding that what is adopted in the US will eventually have to be adopted in Canada. 09:52:57 PM Rick Tobin:And I would hope there innovations would come this way, as well. 09:54:04 PM Amy Sebring:Megan got bumped awhile ago and just sent me email she couldn't get back in. 09:54:27 PM Amy Sebring:She is a high school student, ham operator, Red Cross volunteer and very interested in all things radio. 09:54:37 PM Amy Sebring:She says she will check the transcript. 09:54:46 PM Darryl E Parker:(Note: I had about a 10-minute start up routine, too.) 09:54:54 PM Amy Sebring:Sorry Darryl. 09:55:01 PM Amy Sebring:You should have clued me! 09:55:09 PM Amy Sebring:You can do it now if you would like. 09:55:53 PM Rick Tobin:I believe Megan might be a great EM someday. 09:56:10 PM Amy Sebring:I hope we can attract kids like her into the field. 09:57:21 PM Rick Tobin:Young adults...in case my son reads this. 09:57:42 PM Amy Sebring:That could make a whole nuther round table rick... 09:57:47 PM Amy Sebring:the next generation. 09:58:00 PM Rick Tobin:Darryl, have you thought of forming critical alliances with Federal and CAN? 09:58:16 PM Amy Sebring:Sounds like they already have one with Federal at least. 09:58:31 PM Darryl E Parker:Indeed we do have a very solid relationship with Federal Signal Corp. 09:58:53 PM Amy Sebring:Speaking of CAN, Ken was supposed to come for your session yesterday Rick. 09:58:55 PM Amy Sebring:Oh well. 09:58:58 PM Darryl E Parker:I know the people at CAN but have not discussed any sort of alliance. We might investigate it though. 09:59:29 PM Darryl E Parker:Ken and I see each other at just about every show we go to. 10:00:02 PM Darryl E Parker:Isn't he on the IAEM Board? 10:00:25 PM Amy Sebring:He's the Chaplain at least, and did a Round Table session with us. 10:01:00 PM Darryl E Parker:Funny...I niver thought of Ken in the role of Chaplain. 10:01:05 PM Amy Sebring:Well, I have to prepare a presentation for 9:15 am tomorrow... 10:01:06 PM Rick Tobin:Yes. He is. I see the entire notification and warning issue holistically....sirens, EAS, CAN, RACES, sheriff, local phone trees, TTY/TTD, the works. But nobody has brought them all to one forum....yet. 10:01:28 PM Amy Sebring:I must go. Thank you so much Darryl. 10:01:31 PM Darryl E Parker:Sound like a job for emforum. 10:01:43 PM Amy Sebring:I would be interested in what happened in Houston if you just happen to hear. 10:01:54 PM Amy Sebring:You guys stay and chat if you like. 10:01:55 PM Darryl E Parker:I'll check and let you know. 10:01:58 PM Amy Sebring:thanks. 10:02:02 PM Rick Tobin:Night Amy, I'm off. Say hi to Avagene for me. Night Darryl. Hope to meet you sometime. 10:02:05 PM Amy Sebring:Always a delight to see you Rick. 10:02:13 PM Darryl E Parker:G'night. 10:02:16 PM Amy Sebring:bye