Storm Coverage: Coordination with Local Officials Essential
- The New York State Broadcasters Association
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
The last few days have highlighted the importance of working with local law enforcement and local emergency management officials. For many stations, the issue has been whether employees can get to work at their stations or cover news events when there are road closures, etc.
Last Friday, NYSBA asked both state and federal authorities for a letter allowing broadcast employees access in the event of road closures and disaster area restrictions. As “first informers,” it is essential that stations are able to report from all areas throughout a storm and provide lifesaving information.
In both instances, government offices noted that broadcasters were an essential service during these events. They recognized the importance of local stations to provide critical information to the community. However, they would not issue a blanket, statewide “pass” to cross police lines or obtain access to roads that have been closed. While NY State and federal authorities have encouraged local authorities to recognize our important status, the decision to allow access during emergencies rests with local police and emergency management authorities.
The following outlines the position of New York State and the federal government with respect to suggestions issued to local authorities. The documents can provide a foundation for discussions with local authorities.
NY State: While the NY Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) will not issue a “pass,” the NY Disaster Preparedness Commission issued the following guidance to local authorities regarding access to disaster areas:
The Disaster Preparedness Commission (DPC) has determined the following categories of workers may be deemed essential personnel when directed by their employers to assist in providing emergency services in a declared disaster area. Travel ban exemptions, as appropriate, must be made by state or local officials based on the following:
According to the DPC, broadcast employees are essential personnel:
Personnel involved in emergency alert systems (EAS) and wireless emergency alerts (WEA), including broadcasters, satellite radio and television, cable, and wireline video providers.
Workers supporting radio, print, internet, and television news and media services, including front-line news reporters, studio technicians, and personnel involved in newsgathering, reporting, meteorology, and news publishing.
Personnel supporting communications efforts of public officials.
Federal: At the federal level, the Cyber Security Infrastructure & Security Agency (CISA) issues Access Coordination Letters to help guide state and local authorities during emergencies. This letter is non-authoritative and simply requests that state and local authorities coordinate access and support for owners to repair and restore critical infrastructure. Broadcasters are considered to be critical infrastructure. The letter is not an authorization from the Federal Government for companies to enter a disaster area. Each state/local authority reserves the right to coordinate access with the federal government at their discretion.
However, Access Coordination Letters can be used to help persuade local officials that broadcast employees should be exempt from travel bans or restrictions during natural disasters. The federal government considers broadcasting as part of the essential communications infrastructure. With respect to the most recent storm, CISA did issue an Access Coordination Letter that was sent to state and local authorities.
Recommendation: Always prepare for the next storm. Each local station should start communicating with local law enforcement and county emergency management agencies to discuss access in the upcoming storm. You can show them that NY State and Federal authorities recognize broadcasters as essential workers and should be exempt from local travel bans. Importantly, your reporters on the street should always carry a station ID.
You can access the NY Department of Disaster Preparedness Guidance document here. The reference to broadcasters is found on page 3.
You can access a US Department of Homeland Security report stating that broadcasters are an essential service here. References to broadcasting can be found on page 6.
You can access the CISA website that lists all Access Coordination Letters here.
CISA’s most recent Access Coordination Letter regarding the latest snowstorm can be found below: