On July 21, the Enforcement Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued an advisory to remind Emergency Alert System (EAS) Participants of the requirements to ensure that EAS alerts are visually and aurally accessible. This advisory is targeted at television broadcast stations, analog and digital cable systems, wireless cable systems, wireline video systems and… read more
Following last week’s advisory from Sage regarding the availability and required installation of an update due to the expiring IPAWS digital certificate, DASDEC has announced their firmware update to meet the August 21, 2021 deadline. As with Sage, there is no charge from DASDEC for this update. Digital Alert System’s Ed Czarnecki says you must… read more
Sage Alerting Systems has released a bulletin regarding their Digital ENDEC model 3644 to users in the United States, covering two issues: A) FEMA Signing Certificate updates: Action required before August 21, 2021. A signing certificate used by FEMA to validate CAP alerts will expire on Aug 21, 2021 at 21:00:00 UTC. Sage has released… read more
The 2021 version of the FCC’s Emergency Alert System Operating Handbook is now available, replacing the 2017 version. FCC rules require that a copy of the Handbook be maintained by stations and be immediately available to staff responsible for authenticating messages and initiating actions. As part of the preparations for the upcoming August nationwide EAS… read more
Special via David Oxenford, Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP Last week, the FCC issued a Public Notice announcing an August 11, 2021 nationwide EAS test, with a backup date of August 25 if there are conditions that prevent the test from occurring on the initial date. The test is scheduled for 2:20 PM EDT. For broadcasters, this test will… read more
The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday (6/17) unanimously approved several updates to its rules governing the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The FCC concluded alert repetition can be integrated into alert origination software as an automated function. That will allow the alert originator to program how, when, and for which EAS event codes it will need… read more
FEMA has announced the dates for this year’s EAS National Periodic Test (NPT). The primary date is August 11, 2021 with the backup on August 25, 2021. The test will take place at 2:20 p.m. EDT. State SECC Chairman Gary Blievernicht said due to the NPT, all Required Monthly Tests (RMT) for August are cancelled. … read more
The Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) has issued helpful guidance to stations about what to do in light of the failure of an IPAWS Required Weekly Test on Monday (4/26): When FEMA issues an IPAWS test or alert it includes a “signature certificate.” This operates similar to a password for accessing different sites or files… read more
Following false weather service alerts that went out this month across Kansas and Missouri warning of imminent danger from a tornado that did not exist, Federal Communications Commission Acting Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said Wednesday (3/17) that a system needs to be created to track false emergency alerts so lessons can be learned from the errors,… read more
Additional resources, tips for listeners and viewers and graphics are available here. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared March 21-27 to be Michigan’s Severe Weather Awareness Week. Broadcasters and Emergency Management partners statewide are encouraging Michiganders to conduct a statewide tornado drill at 1 p.m. ET Wednesday, March 24. Broadcaster participation will take place with an… read more