Back-to-Back Issues with Emergency Alert System Prompts Review

Two problems in two days have some people asking whether a system designed to keep residents safe is working well enough to do the job.

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By Lauren Maxwell
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Two problems in two days have some people asking whether a system designed to keep residents safe is working well enough to do the job.

The state’s Emergency Alert System was activated twice this week. On Wednesday a garbled Amber Alert broadcasted details of an Anchorage teenager police believed was kidnapped. Fortunately, she was later found safe and sound.

On Thursday the problem was timing. Alaska residents could hear a message that a tsunami alert had been issued. The trouble is that it was broadcast after the alert had already been called off. Local broadcasters got the message to play the alert more than an hour after it was sent out from the Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer.

The state says it’s not sure what happened but they are promising the problem will be fixed. Bryan Fisher with the Alaska Division of Homeland Security says the parties involved are meeting to figure out what went wrong and why.

“We want to examine any issues we find in terms of audio or timing or having the message go across the equipment or not,” says Fisher. “We will go through a review process, identify problems and develop an improvement plan.”

Bryant says the long-term fix should be coming soon.  The state already has new equipment for the Alert System that should be installed by the end of the summer.

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Jamon said on Sunday, Jun 26 at 5:20 PM

You could not hear anything in regards to the amber alert on (channel two), in Barrow. I watched it occur on the air live and was totally inaudible...

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Joe Miller said on Sunday, Jun 26 at 4:02 PM

I told you guys.

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Dr. Hank Pym said on Sunday, Jun 26 at 1:43 PM

I created a robot that almost ended all life on Earth. I have much to atone for. I hereby tender my resignation, effective immedidately.

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thomas paine said on Sunday, Jun 26 at 7:32 AM

were from the govt were here to help.... homeland security is a joke.

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Bill said on Saturday, Jun 25 at 8:09 PM

Big waste of Tax monies. Stop this homeland security nonsense and let the LOCAL, NATIONAL and INTERNATIONAL media do their jobs. They've been doing it since the Colonial times and usually (sans the Hearst debacle re: Cuba)QUITE WELL! We don't need a bureaucracy to give us "STATE" news.

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olddg said on Saturday, Jun 25 at 3:31 PM

Another waste of tax dollars. Anything HOMELAND SECURITY is involved id is either a joke or a masive waste of money

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onealaskan said on Saturday, Jun 25 at 8:52 AM

The first problem is that "Homeland Security" is involved. What a joke of an agency. They do NOTHING to keep our homeland secure.

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Joey Depot said on Saturday, Jun 25 at 7:01 AM

Alaska is way behind power curbs because they are so caught up in dumb things like the palin, joe miller and things that do not do anything to help its residents at all. It would have been very bad if it would have really happened (tsunami) Alaska officials would have lied to cover themselves....Uh sounds like Katrina????? Yes, this is STATE and it should be run as so not like a wanna be country. Look out for its residents because if the MILITARY BASES WERE TO GET WIPED OUT, ALASKA WOULD BE IN RUINS (FINANCIALLY, SORRY BUT ALASKA IS NOTHING WITH OUT THE MILITARY)

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karaboo said on Saturday, Jun 25 at 6:01 AM

I was out in my yard, had the radio blasting and never heard any of the warnings or horns. I live about 5 miles out of Kenai, VIP area. would have sucked if a tsunami did come I wouldn't have known anything!

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trmanley said on Friday, Jun 24 at 11:47 PM

all the emergency alerts that come across my tv are garbled and cut out at the important parts. the message goes in and out.

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