THE EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM (EAS)
"This is a test of the Emergency Alert System -- this is only a test...."
Sound familiar ?
It is an FCC requirement that broadcasters provided automated programming breakin for the Emergency Alert System.
You will occasionally hear the EAS tests on your favorite broadcast station or your local cable system. The test script may only be heard occasionally because the new EAS weekly test does not require a test script. Instead the new weekly test consists of an eight-second digital data signal. The signal contains the information necessary to test the EAS. There is also a monthly test that has a test script. The monthly test script is developed locally and usually contains information that is relevant to the local area.
Since January 1, 1997, all AM, FM and TV broadcast stations have been using the above test procedures. Also, since December 31, 1998, cable systems that have 10,000 or more subscribers are part of the EAS. They are doing the above tests and have the capability to transmit emergency messages on all of their video channels.
Also, the EAS digital signal is the same signal that the National Weather Service (NWS) uses on NOAA Weather Radio (NWR). This allows NWR signals to be decoded by the EAS equipment at broadcast stations and cable systems. Broadcasters and cable operators can then retransmit NWS weather warning messages almost immediately to their audiences.
It is the NOAA NWR transmissions that shall be monitored using a VHF radio receiver and EAS decoder with RS-232 interface to the IMB PC SERVER 325 as part of the 53.43 repeater system that shall provide the N2CKH/R hub it's EAS and S.A.M.E. capability.
WHY HAVE AN EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM ?
The EAS system is designed to provide the President with a means to address the American people in the event of a national emergency, such as the recent tragic attack on the World Trade Center in New York city not far from our coverage area.
Through the EAS, the President or FEMA or other agency would have access to thousands of broadcast stations, cable systems and participating satellite programmers to transmit a message to the public. The EAS and its predecessors, CONELRAD and the Emergency Broadcast System (EBS), have never been activated for this purpose. But beginning in 1963, the President permitted state and local level emergency information to be transmitted using the EBS.
WHAT DOES THE NEW EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM MEAN FOR AMATEUR RADIO ?
Automatic Operation:
Depending on FCC Part 97 interpretation, the EAS digital system architecture allows for automatic emergency information to quickly and automatically be transmitted even it unattended. It is still under review as to whether Part 97 permits this. However, we will definately provide a local alert message that will then permit a control operator to use touch tones (DTMF) to bring on line the NOAA reciever audio. A log of EAS messages is also planned to be available for review by DTMF access.
EAS transmits a digitally coded tone at the beginning of each message identifying its type, target area, and timing. A digital tone is also transmitted at the end of the message. The new technology allows messages to target a very specific area unlike the old system which alerted the whole radio reception area for each message. Insuring that alerts are relevant to the listner improves the and public trust of the system. Almost all FCC licensed broadcasters and cable providers are required to carry and relay EBS messages. Click here for the county FIPS codes for our general area to select the speciffic county code to be targeted on your personal S.A.M.E. NWS receiver.
To insure reliability NWR 2000 transmitters broadcast test messages each week, usually on wednesday. Some stations broadcast tests morning only and some both morning and evening. Times are typically 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM local time. It is to be determined as to what we are going to do with test EAS transmissions on the system.
Less Intrusive:
EAS tests are shorter and less obtrusive then the previous EBS system and therefore when people do hear the EAS messages they will take them more seriously.
WHO MAKES THE EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM WORK ?
The FCC designed the new EAS, working in a cooperative arrangement with the broadcast, cable, emergency management, alerting equipment industry, the National Weather Service and the Federal Emergency Management Administration. IT is thus the perfect system for the Amateur Radio Service to support for access by all amateurs and of special interest to ARES and RACES etc.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF EACH OF THESE AGENCIES ?
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) The FCC provides information to broadcasters, cable system operators, and other participants in the EAS regarding the requirements of this emergency system. Additionally, the FCC will ensure that EAS state and local plans developed by industry conform to the FCC EAS rules and regulations and enhance the national level EAS structure.
National Weatger Service (NWS) The NWS provides emergency weather information used to alert the public of dangerous conditions. Over seventy percent of all EAS and EBS activations were a result of natural disasters and were weather related. Linking NOAA Weather Radio digital signaling with the EAS digital signaling will help NWS save lives by reaching more people with timely, site-specific weather warnings.
Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) FEMA provides direction for state and local emergency planning officials to plan and implement their roles in the EAS.