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Private Sector Industry Partner: EAS Participants

EAS participants are entities required under the Commission's rules to comply with EAS rules, e.g. , analog radio and television stations, and wired and wireless cable television systems, DBS, DTV, SDARS, digital cable and DAB, and wireline video systems.

EAS Vendors are private companies engaged in commercial endeavors to make equipment and software available to transmit and receive EAS messages. While the EAS Vendor industry has been around for years, it is undergoing material changes because of EAS initiatives.

Facts

What EAS Participants need to know: 

  1. A national test of the EAS system will take place on November 9, 2011 at 2pm EST.
  2. Per FCC regulations, EAS decoders/encoders are required to meet certain standards and accommodate protocols such as the CAP.
  3. EAS decoders/encoders need to undergo testing to demonstrate conformity to IPAWS standards and protocols.
  4. IPAWS is modernizing and enhancing the EAS: EAS enhancements include:
    1. Expansion of and improvements to Primary Entry Point (PEP) stations;
    2. Digitization of EAS sending and receiving equipment, which will require technology upgrades for EAS participants; and,
    3. Adoption of standards (such as CAP) that will help facilitate alert communication.

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Key Benefits

Why EAS Participants want to know the facts:

  1. An improved EAS system will help solidify EAS participants’ position as a popular and reliable source of emergency information for the public.
  2. Proper EAS participation helps satisfy regulatory requirements.
  3. EAS is and will remain an integral part of IPAWS.
  4. EAS enhancement efforts provide a strong opportunity for EAS participants to strengthen relationships with local public safety officials.
  5. EAS helps save lives and protect property.

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Calls-to-Action

Recommendations for EAS Participants:

  1. Keep informed of regulations and opportunities related to EAS enhancements.
  2. Keep informed of conformity testing requirements and opportunities.
  3. Upgrade EAS equipment prior to FCC deadlines.
  4. Prepare for the National EAS Test, including helping to prepare the public.
  5. Participate in the IPAWS Emergency Alert System Roundtable.

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 To return to the FEMA IPAWS Home Page, click here.

Last Modified: Friday, 28-Oct-2011 09:39:09 EDT