Florida Broadcaster Pushes Power Priority

Patrick Roberts, president of the Florida Association of Broadcasters, told a Senate Commerce Committee panel Tuesday that several changes should be made to emergency communications procedures. He argued that radio and TV stations should be given priority status for fuel during emergencies. He pointed to several Gulf Coast stations that almost went dark for lack of fuel for back-up generators. In addition, Roberts said that the Emergency Alert System needs to be changed, and he called for a nationwide preparedness public awareness campaign that state associations and the National Association of Broadcasters are ready to help spearhead.
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
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