tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9907141.post111216746612787355..comments2023-10-23T23:45:05.076-10:00Comments on Tsunami Lessons: PBS's "NOVA" Show Disappointing; Tsunami Program Offers More Hand-Wringing, Little ElseDoug Carlsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191683240304122047noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9907141.post-1112229277403907672005-03-30T14:34:00.000-10:002005-03-30T14:34:00.000-10:00Doug: I've been following your blog for some time ...Doug: <BR/><BR/>I've been following your blog for some time and agree with much of the criticism you level at NOAA and the PTWC personnel concerning their failure to recognize the value and immediacy of utilizing mass media. . . .particularly radio and to a lesser extent CNN/TV News . . . .to reach potential tsunami destruction zones.<BR/><BR/>Why isn't a communications protocol that involves direct contact with mass media outlets from the very outset of an incident, included in the PTWC/NOAAr crisis management procedures?<BR/><BR/>I mean, it's a no brainer. If instantaneous communications is the objective ---I'm talking about minutes not hours--- to reach a mass population to alert them to an impending danger headed their way, why not pick up the phone and call the media and declare a "heads up" alert. Going through the US State Department or having contact with other governmental agencies may be great for "after action" assessments but it just won't cut it if the objective and mission is saving lives! <BR/><BR/>I just don't understand how neither the scientists at PTWC nor the bureaucrats at NOAA see that the KISS concept is overriding! It's very, very simple:<BR/><BR/>PTWC: "We just registered an 8.5 magnitude earthquake."<BR/><BR/>PTWC Conclusion: A tsunami is likely. <BR/><BR/>PTWC: "Call the media. Get the warning out over the radio and TV waves."<BR/><BR/>PTWC: "OK. Now that that's done call our State Department and other international government agencies and fill them in on the details." <BR/><BR/>It's as simple as that. The first call ---not the last--- should be to the media!<BR/><BR/>Now, regarding last night's NOVA program. . . .could someone please tell me why no one thought to ask the scientists and bureaucrats why they didn't make their first call, their second call, or their third call to the media to ask them to sound the alert? <BR/><BR/>Isn't this an appropriate question to ask? And what about now as they conduct their after incident assessments.<BR/><BR/>There are errors of commission and their are errors of omission and anyone who calls him/herself a journalist should be asking some tough, hard questions now with regard to the later. That's their job and that's the issue that they should be focusing on.<BR/><BR/>Keep up the good work, Doug. Regret that I didn't air my views earlier. Perhaps others who have been reading your blog and have been silent on his issue may wish to ---will be encouraged to--- comment.<BR/><BR/>300,000 lives lost because no one at the PTWC thought to pick up the phone and place one call ---just one--- to CNN. Shameful in the extreme. Shameful!<BR/><BR/>rsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com