PUBLIC ALERTING SYSTEMS IN CANADA

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PUBLIC ALERTING SYSTEMS IN CANADA

• Industry Canada Workshop, Ottawa
• 6 November 2003

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Introduction

• Scope of Study
• Public Alerting Processes
• Observations
• Conclusions

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Scope of Study

• Public Alerting Programs and Processes in Canada
• Legislative Basis for Programs
• Public Alerting Methods and Techniques
• Critical Industrial Areas Programs Processes
  Used
• Risk Assessments Needs Assessment
• Identified Needs and Gaps
• Best Practices
• Costs
• Usage

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Public Alerting Processes

• Media broadcast radio, television cable
  systems
• Telephone notify local agencies alert the
  public
• Radio-communication Weatheradio, EPWS-AB, tone
  alert system Durham
• Internet flood warnings, forest fire hazards,
  etc.
• Sirens in small communities or near critical
  sites
• In-person door-to-door, vehicles

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Observations

• Reliance on Media assumption that the public is
  tuned in to the specific media
• Broadcaster Limitations voluntary participation,
  after hours, staff turnover
• Dependence on Technology most systems are to
  some degree, accordingly are vulnerable to
  failure
• Unsuitability when lead times to act are shorter
  than the time required to activate the system
• Systems Not Locale-Specific an entire region
  must be alerted

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Conclusions

• Need for Modern Reliable Alerting Systems to
  reach all affected citizens promptly
  economically
• Provincial / Territorial Information Exchange to
  enhance public alerting
• National Guidelines and Protocols to communicate
  warnings to the public

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Conclusions contd.

• Public Awareness Education Programs to be
  undertaken on a priority basis after development
  of guidelines and protocols
• CRTC Regulations to require broadcasters to
  rebroadcast public alerting messages
• CRTC to Allow Access to 911 Databases for
  automated telephone dial-outs

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Conclusions contd.

• Expectations of the CBC important vital role
• A Process to Alert the Public from the top down
  from federal to other levels of government, the
  private sector and the public for situations that
  warrant it, e.g., terrorist activities
• Learn From the Experience of Other Countries

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Conclusions contd.

• The federal government, particularly Industry
  Canada, provide the needed leadership in the area
  of public alerting.

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National Needs

• Risk-Based Approach
• Harmonization of Communications Procedures
  Systems
• Public Awareness Protocols e.g., explain
  difference between advisories warnings, MSC
  weather channel colour codes, significance of
  number ratings, etc., protocols public
  education need to be standardized due to
  inter-provincial migration, travel
• Public Education Programs schools, elderly,
  ethnic communities (language issues), etc.

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National Needs

• How When to Alert the Public Will message
  cause panic? Is it warranted? When to release?
  etc.
• Involve Industry Community in Public Alerting
  Programs / Systems Development
• Advise Communities on Public Alerting Technology
  Providers
• USA Experience in Public Alerting
• How to Work With Broadcasters
• Harmonization Coordination of Alert Messages
  Among all Levels of Government

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Thank You