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Last week, on
June 13, the FCC issued forfeiture orders to two broadcast stations
for violating the current EAS Rules. In each case the violations
were based on the fact that neither station has its EAS
encoder/decoder properly installed and operational. In one instance
the station’s encoder/decoder was installed but it was not
functioning properly. In the other instance the station did not own
an encoder/decoder because it was co-located with another station
and they shared the EAS equipment. However, the stations were not
co-owned and the Rules allow co-located stations to share equipment
only when the stations are co-owned.
The Emergency
Alert System now falls under the Public Safety and Homeland Security
Bureau of the FCC. It is important to remember that, even though the
FCC is considering a new Next Generation Emergency Alert System,
broadcasters must comply with all the existing regulations contained
in Part 11 of the Commission’s Rules until such time as the FCC
adopts new Rules.
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
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