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The Honolulu Advertiser

Updated at 3:00 p.m., Friday, January 5, 2007

State report: Upgrade emergency communication plans

By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

The Governor's Comprehensive Communications Review Committee this afternoon released its final report on improving communication with the public during emergencies.

The committee, which includes government officials and media and telecommunications representatives, was formed amid criticism from the public that the flow of information was slow in the aftermath of the Oct. 15, 2006, earthquakes.

The committee issued 15 recommendations for getting information out in a more timely manner during emergencies — even in the event of an Islandwide blackout, such as that O'ahu experienced after the mid-October earthquakes.

Highlights from the report include the following recommendations:

  • Upgrade the state's Emergency Alert System plan.

  • Improve communication with all media, which would include establishing a working area for reporters at state Civil Defense headquarters in Diamond Head as well as putting in place easier methods for media to access information remotely.

  • Use an Emergency Alert System "civil emergency" code that would automatically interrupt broadcast programming to notify people when an earthquake has struck that will not generate a tsunami.

  • Work with foreign language and sign language interpreters to help keep informed citizens who cannot rely on English radio.

  • Better educate the public on how to prepare for emergencies.

  • Explore the feasibility of using cell phone text messaging in emergencies.

    Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.