EAS INFORMATION UPDATE

INFO ABOUT THE NOV. 9 2011 NATIONAL EAS TEST---CLICK HERE

EAS NATIONAL TEST HANDBOOK

All stations MUST post the handbook “at normal duty positions or EAS equipment locations where an operator is required to be on duty.”  The new handbook temporarily supersedes the normal EAS handbook for Nov. 9 only.Click to download.

 

EAS BEST PRACTICES GUIDE---CLICK HERE
EAS-CAP DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JUNE 30, 2012

The FCC announced September 16 that they have moved the deadline for all stations to upgrade their EAS units to be CAP-compliant from September 30, 2011 to June 30, 2012.  The VAB was one of many state associations to seek the extension on behalf of its members. Currently, an estimated 80% of stations nationwide have either installed or ordered the upgraded EAS receivers.  Read the FCC order here. 

As a result of the extension, the VAB has voted to extend the deadline for stations to apply for their VAB EAS rebate.  Stations must purchase their CAP-ready EAS units prior to June 30, 2012 and the rebate form and copy of the invoice MUST be received no later that August 30, 2012.  You may download the rebate form here.

The extension of the EAS-CAP deadline does NOT affect the first-ever National EAS Test, still scheduled for November 9, 2011 at 2 p.m.  FEMA has collected information about the National EAS Test, which you can access here.  Additionally, FEMA has produced a National EAS Toolkit, which you can download here. 


Below are some of the key EAS rules:

  • EAS Participants are responsible for ensuring that EAS Encoders, EAS Decoders and Attention Signal generating and receiving equipment used as part of the EAS are installed so that the monitoring and transmitting functions are available during the times the stations and systems are in operation.
  • If the EAS Encoder or EAS Decoder becomes defective, the EAS Participant may operate without the defective equipment pending its repair or replacement for 60 days without further FCC authority. Entries shall be made in the broadcast station log showing the date and time the equipment was removed and restored to service. For personnel training purposes, the required monthly test script must still be transmitted even though the equipment for generating the EAS message codes, Attention Signal and EOM (end of message) code is not functioning.
  • If repair or replacement of defective equipment is not completed within 60 days, an informal request shall be submitted to the District Director of the FCC field office serving the area in which the EAS Participant is located for additional time to repair the defective equipment. This request must explain what steps have been taken to repair or replace the defective equipment, the alternative procedures being used while the defective equipment is out of service, and when the defective equipment will be repaired or replaced.
  • Required monthly tests originate from Local or State Primary sources. The time and script content will be developed by State Emergency Communications Committees in cooperation with affected EAS Participants. Monthly tests must be retransmitted within 60 minutes of receipt by EAS Participants.
  • Analog and digital AM, FM, and TV broadcast stations must conduct tests of the EAS header and EOM codes at least once a week at random days and times. Effective December 31, 2006, DAB stations must conduct these tests on all audio streams. Effective December 31, 2006, DTV stations must conduct these tests on all program streams.
  • EAS Participants must determine the cause of any failure to receive the required tests or activations and appropriate entries indicating reasons why any tests were not received must be made in the broadcast station log for all broadcast streams.
  • Automatic interrupt of programming and transmission of EAS messages are required when facilities are unattended.

Broadcast personnel should review the EAS Rules to insure that your station is operating in compliance with the EAS regulations. A complete list of the Part 11 Rules can be found here:
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_07/47cfr11_07.html.

FOR MORE FEDERAL EAS INFO PLEASE CLICK HERE

FOR THE VERMONT EAS PLAN, CLICK HERE

VERMONT DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT