How come the Emergency Alert System (USA) wasn't activated during Sept 11 attack?

Answer 1

I think the first plane was considered an accident so there was no need for a national alert. Once the second plane hit, then the third hit the pentagon, then the fourth going down over Penn. on its way to I what I understand was the White House, I suspect the powers that be didn't want to cause panic.

Generally, I've never seen it used for anything other than natural disasters/dangers. A tornado is the big trigger here in the Midwest.

When its man-made, and intentional - like the attacks, then it would incite panic. So, another attack, or say a nuke from Russia back during the cold war probably WOULD NOT have set it off - the thinking being that the alert itself would cause more problems than the actual danger - IE rioting, mass panic, huge traffic issues that prevent first responders from doing their jobs, etc.,... Just human psychology at work for better or worse.

On the other hand, isn't that what the national alert system was originally designed for? To alert the population in the event of a nuclear attack? I think its not really there to do anything like that - its more to give us peace of mind in knowing its there.

Similar to Oxygen masks on air planes. They don't drop down to help you survive a crash, they drop down because oxygen makes you euphoric (from Fight Club, but true).

My mother was told to hide under her desk during air raid drills when she was a kid in the 50's. It wouldn't have saved her, but it does serve the purpose of having nice orderly rows of x-rays on any standing walls made as the bodies vaporize that are left to make casualty counting more accurate.

Nerve Gas kits with atropine don't save a solider, though they are told that - what it does is lets that solider keep fighting a bit longer before they die.

Cynical I realize, but to be honest, the alternatives are worse in my opinion. If I was going to crash in a plane, I'd rather die happy than in terror.

Answer 2

There is an Emergency Alert System in the USA? I've been a cop, firemen, and paramedic for the last 25 years, and I've never heard of that. The only thing I've ever heard about is the Emergency Broadcast System Test alerts........which basically is a joke because it is a voluntary test done by a radio and TV station...as authorized by the Federal Communications Commission...and has never been activated

Answer 3

Hmm... that is a good question. I had thought it was activated, only too late, but I guess it never was...

Wikipedia says:
The EAS was to have issued such messages that the United States was under attack, but no warning broadcast was issued, even in New York City. This was because of the main feed of the Emergency Alert System was on one of the towers in the World Trade Center. [citation needed]
----- It doesn't say who contributed this information to Wikipedia or if it is accurate since there is no citation. I have never heard this before -- that the "main feed" (whatever that means) of the EAS was on one of the twin towers. I did know that the north tower had a huge broadcast antenna on top that was the primary transmitter for many NYC television and radio stations.

Answer 4

I believe the Emergency Alert System was activated. The attack was unexpected, so any alert would have been delayed, but air traffic was quickly grounded and certain key figures in government were hidden from possible attack.

Answer 5

You do understand that it wasn't like we had advance notice or any notice for that matter. It's not like we've ever had planes flown into buildings before.

Answer 6

because unfortunately its a joke.
just like everything else when it first starts
its a failure, lets pray it works next time.

Answer 7

obviously the government(s) had deamed that it wasn't needed.