Years ago as Chief Engineer for WRKO/WBMX Boston I received calls alerting me to an upcoming test of the Emergency Broadcast System..which would have in studio “observers” I had witnessed this at our station a few years earlier was an engineer. The reason for the observers was that the EBS system was an integral part of the evacuation plan for the nuclear power plant at Seabrook. I knew it was a joke- the EBS system was complicated and most radio station on air folks didn’t know how to perform the tasks needed to send the messages.
However, the tests were done in such a way as to guarantee success. I knew that a REAL test- an off hours and un-announced would NEVER pass. I called an old pal- Charles Laquidara and asked him what to do- it was his idea to bring in an investigative reporter- ultimately David Ropeik of WCVB Channel 5 Boston. agreed to take the story. With his help we scheduled the first ever off hours test of the EBS system in Boston. This was done with the cooperation of David Rodham, then director of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency- MEMA..what was once Civil Defense. . And yes, David Rodham is/was a relative of Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Watch the video please- spoiler…it failed as I knew it would.
Takeaway- I put public safety first and my career second. I didn’t ask permission of the General Manager or anyone above me… I arraigned this 100% on my own.
The saddest part was when our CFO at ‘RKO/BMX asked me why I did it…he explained that he was pals with the owners of CGY and interested in buying them…and eventually did. He wasn’t happy I had exposed this failure. I couldn’t understand how he could think of profits before the safety of those vacationing at Hampton and Salisbury. I still don’t.
I received no thanks for this- no reward, no bonus, from our station management. My thanks was watching the EBS system become automated and reliable after my expose.
Thank you David Ropeik.
I’m running for Selectman in Andover, Tuesday 24-March-2026. I need your vote! I created this website to show all that I’m not like the other candidates- I’ve been fighting for honest values most of my life- I’d like to help steer Andover in the right direction- one that makes YOUR life here as a resident better. I know I’m not “normal”. If you want the past repeated vote for someone else. If you want a better Andover- I can and will do it with your vote. Thank you- Larry Bruce
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