The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has made it official. It has released an order that requires participants in the Emergency Alert System (EAS), namely broadcasters, cable operators, and certain satellite providers, to participate in the first-ever national test of EAS.
The test will differ starkly from the monthly EAS tests the public knows so well. In this case, the White House will actually activate the test as if the President wanted to take over the air waves to address the nation. Although EAS-type capabilities have existed since the early 50's, no President has ever used it. Now, we're going to find out how well it actually works.
The FCC order found here lays out how the test will be conducted. It will use what many emergency managers know as the EAN code. That's "Emergency Alert Notification", the code reserved for the President to activate EAS. The EAN code kicks in the process where video and audio content will be interrupted by EAS participants monitoring the Primary Entry Point (PEP) stations that receive the message the White House originates. Stations, cable outlets and some satellite programming providers are to interrupt their content to allow the White House to take over the air waves.
No specific date for the test was set, although as it stands, a two-month notice will be provided. The FCC gave its staff ability to extend the notice period if necessary, and to work with stakeholders to determine the right time of the day for the test. In a live web broadcast on EAS recently, senior FCC and FEMA officials indicated the test would be conducted in the latter part of 2011. (EAS is part of FEMA's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System - IPAWS.) It's an open question about the length of the test message.
Recognizing the national test with a message from the White House could cause a stir among the public, the FCC said outreach will be a "major aspect of preparation" and directed its staff to work with federal partners and other stakeholders to "disseminate notice of the test as widely as possible through as many outlets as possible".
Some EAS equipment manufacturers had argued that it would be a good idea for emergency managers to receive training on EAS activation prior to the national test. The FCC said it agreed that message originators need training on properly using EAS codes, but that it has "no jurisdiction over those entities". The FCC said it "will continue to work with FEMA to establish proper guidelines for message originators".
Even though emergency management training won't be necessary to activate the national code, we believe it's very important that emergency management and other public safety officials are deeply engaged and well-informed on the national test. In addition to testing a vital tool that they (and the President) can use, the national EAS test will require significant public outreach as the FCC noted. Otherwise, the public could over-react and overload 9-1-1 systems. Emergency management and other public safety officials can help make sure the local public knows what's going on.
And, again, we put in a plug for emergency managers to use the national test as a reason to sit down with local broadcasters and cable operators. You can be assured they'll be paying attention, and will be encouraged to participate in outreach. It would be nice for local outreach to be a joint public safety-broadcast/cable effort.
So, the national EAS test is officially coming. Stay tuned!
All the best,
Rick
Galain Solutions, Inc. is the nation's premier independent consulting firm aimed at helping public safety agencies evaluate, implement and integrate effective emergency notification solutions and programs. For more information, visit www.galainsolutions.com.
