The Challenge of Multi-lingual Alerts and Warnings

Rare is the community in the US these days that doesn't have residents who either don't speak English, or speak it poorly. Emergency managers and other public safety officials struggle with making sure critical messages are understood by all, including people with disabilities. Many notification systems don't have ability to deliver messages in multiple languages or in ways to accommodate special needs and, if they do, use is often awkward.

The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is challenged in the same way. Most EAS messages, like those monthly tests heard on almost all radio and TV stations, are broadcast only in English.

The National Association of Broadcasters recently asked the FCC to "refrain from adopting mandatory requirements on the format or content of EAS messages". Instead, the NAB said "voluntary programs created by state and local officials, broadcasters and other interested parties are the preferred and practical approach". The NAB was referring to a project in Florida where EAS messages from the state level are delivered in multiple languages. At this point, messages from the federal level orginiate in English only. It would be impractical, says the NAB, for a mechanism to be placed into action that would require translation of EAS messages down the chain from originator (say, the President).

Delivering emergency messages so that all can understand is not a new problem, but it's one that's likely getting worse as US populations grow of non-English speaking and people with disabilities. We're not sure of the exact answer, but suspect it lies somewhere in that system-of-systems approach we keep harping on. Perhaps EAS remains an English-only system, or is multi-lingual when locals work together to make it so. Fine, as long as other systems come into the mainstream that fill the notification gaps.

All the best,

Rick