Document text
March 1997
AM
Post at all station
operator positions
Federal Communications Commission
Emergency Alert System
Pocket for EAS
Authenticator Envelope
Attention Station Managers
=» Ensure the Authenticator Envelope is current
=» Place the Authenticator Envelope in the storage
pocket provided on this page.
» The Authenticator Envelope is used in Step 2
of the National Activation Procedures
Introduction
EAS Handbook
The purpose of this handbook is to provide instructions
for EAS participants to follow during national, state and
local alerts and tests. This Handbook should be located
at each operator position and should be immediately
available to staff responsible for authenticating and
initiating Emergency Action Notifications, Terminations,
alerts and tests.
Contents of the Handbook
This Handbook contains simplified instructions for the
following Emergency Alert procedures:
a National Activation Procedures
Activated by the President.
a National Termination Procedures
Activated by the President.
a State and Local Activation Procedures
Activated by State and Local Officials or
others.
a Monthly and Weekly EAS Test
Activated according to State and Local plan.
AM & FM Emergency Alert System Procedures * March 1997 1
EAS Designation
Each broadcast station and cable system has an EAS
designation which defines its role in the EAS
structure. These designations are found in EAS state
and local plans or state mapbooks that can be
obtained from the FCC. Find your station or system
on the list for your EAS Local Area. Note the EAS
Local Area you serve and indicate this information
on the front cover of this handbook.
For more detailed information, refer to the EAS
rules and regulations, 47 CFR, Part 11, and the EAS
Activation and Testing Procedures.
In the event the EAS equipment becomes defec-
tive, a broadcast station or cable system may oper-
ate without the defective equipment pending its re-
pair or replacement for a period not in excess of 60
days without further FCC authority.
Entries shall be made in the broadcast station or
cable system records 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 mes-
sage codes, Attention Signal and EOM code is not
functioning.
Use of Automatic Encoder and De-
coder Equipment
EAS equipment can be programmed to auto-
matically retransmit EAS alerts. If manage-
ment has done this, your programming may be
interrupted shortly after incoming EAS mes-
sages.
More information on EAS may be obtained from
the Federal Communications Commission on our
toll free number at 888-225-5322 (S8&8-Call FCC).
2 AM&FM Emergency Alert System Procedures * March 1997
Station Notes
Receive
the Emergency
Action
Notification
Message (EAN)
AM & FM Emergency Alert System Procedures * March 1997 3
You will see the words "Emergency Action Notification"
on the broadcast station EAS decoder display.
You will hear the following Emergency Action Notification
Message from the EAS decoder.
Emergency Action Notification Audio Message
This is an Emergency Action Notification requested by the White
House. The Authenticator Words for this notification are (__).
All broadcast stations will follow the activation procedures in
the EAS Operating Handbook for a national level emergency.
The President of the United States or his representative will
shortly deliver a message over the Emergency Alert System. The
Authenticator Words are (_).
4 AM&FM Emergency Alert System Procedures * March 1997
Authenticate For automatic operation go to Step 6
Emergency
Action Programming will be interrupted shortly after you hear
Notification the incoming message shown in Step 1.
Message
For manual operation
AM & FM Emergency Alert System Procedures * March 1997 5
National Activation Procedures
Follow Manual Operation Only
Authentication _
Procedures Compare the activation words used in the Emergency
Action Notification Message to the enclosed list in the
envelope located on the inside front cover of this hand-
book.
If the words do not match,
e Take no further action to transmit a message
If the authenticator words match
Go to Step 4
6 AM& FM Emergency Alert System Procedures * March 1997
Discontinue
normal
programming
Transmit this
announcement:
For manual operation
Cease all programming and prepare to transmit
the following announcement
For manual operation
Broadcast this Announcement
This announcement may be made in the primary
language of the station.
We interrupt our programming; this is a
national emergency.
Important instructions will follow.
AM & FM Emergency Alert System Procedures * March 1997 7
National Activation Procedures
Transmit
the EAS
header codes
followed by the
attention signal
Participating
stations
Non-Participating
stations
For automatic operation
EAS equipment will retransmit header codes and the attention signal.
For manual operation
Use the EAS encoder to retransmit the header codes and the
attention signal .
STOP
Go to Step 7 ofthe
National Level EAS Activation Procedures
Go fo Step 12 ofthe
National Level EAS Activation Procedures.
8 AM& FM Emergency Alert System Procedures * March 1997
Participating Broadcast this Announcement
Stations This is an Emergency Action Notification. All broadcast sta-
For manual operation tions shall transmit this Emergency Action Notification Mes-
sage. This station has interrupted its regular programming
at the request of the White House to participate in the Emer-
gency Alert System.
During this emergency, most stations will remain on the air provid-
ing news and information to the public in assigned areas. This is
(station call name). We will continue to serve the (EAS Local Area
name) area. If you are not in this Local Area, you should tune to
stations providing news and information for your Local Area. You
are listening to the Emergency Alert System serving the (EAS Local
Area name) area.
Do not use your telephone. The telephone lines should be kept open
for emergency use. The Emergency Alert System has been activated
to keep you informed. (Repeat announcement)
We will also be serving as a message distribution and relay
source to other broadcast stations
AM & FM Emergency Alert System Procedures * March 1997 9
National Activation Procedures
Monitor Select your monitoring source in the following order.
the following
sources for 1 Local Primary Source (LP)
ee LP-1 and LP-2
Preteen of your EAS Local Area
(if unavailable)
2 State Relay Source (SR)
SR source for the
State EAS Relay Network.
(Next)
3 ° Any other broadcast station
e Any other available source
10 AM& FM Emergency Alert System Procedures * March 1997
National Activation Procedures
0 Transmit The priorities for EAS messages are:
emergency
messages as @ First - Presidential messages
soon as they
are available
must be carried live
M Second - Local Area messages
HM Third - State messages
M@ Fourth- National Information
Center (NIC) messages
Record lower priority messages for
transmission at earliest opportunity
Transmit
this standby
script until
emergency
messages are
available
AM & FM Emergency Alert System Procedures * March 1997 11
Manual Operation
Broadcast this Announcement
We interrupt our programming at the request of the White
House. This is the Emergency Alert System. All normal pro-
gramming has been discontinued during this emergency.
This is (station call). This station will continue furnishing
news, official information and instructions for the (EAS Lo-
cal Area name) area.
If you are not in (EAS Local Area name) area, you should
tune to stations providing news and information for your area.
It is important that you listen carefully to announcements from
the station in your local area. | REPEAT AS NEEDED |
12 AM& FM Emergency Alert System Procedures * March 1997
National Activation Procedures
1 After the Presidential For automatic operation
message:
J The EAS encoder is programmed to automatically transmit
the End of Message (EOM) code.
Transmit the
For manual operation
oe Manuall it the End of M (EOM) cod
anually transmit the End of Message code
Message Code with the EAS encoder.
Log 1 Log the time and date the Emergency Action
Notification is received at your station
Monitor
2 Monitor Your EAS Source for the Emergency
Action Termination Message
3 When the Emergency Action Termination message
is received on the EAS decoder, follow the National
Level Termination procedures included in this hand-
book.
AM & FA Emergency Alert System Procedures * March 1997 13
National Activation Procedures
1 Transmit this For manual operation transmit the following:
Announcement
a
eo
Broadcast this Announcement
This is an Emergency Action Notification. This station has in-
terrupted its regular programming at the request of the White
House to participate in the Emergency Alert System.
During this emergency, most stations will remain on the air pro-
viding news and information to the public in assigned areas.
This is (station call). We will be discontinuing programming.
You should now tune to stations providing news and informa-
tion for your Local Area.
This station will be discontinuing programming.
Do not use your telephone. The telephone lines should be kept
open for emergency use. The Emergency Alert System has been
activated to keep you informed...
Repeat Announcement
14 AM& FM Emergency Alert System Procedures * March 1997
National Activation Procedures
1 Transmit the For automatic operation
End of
The EAS encoder is programmed to automatically transmit
Message Code the End of Message (EOM) code and may remove the carrier
from the air.
For manual operation
Only e Manually transmit the End of Message (EOM) code with
Non -Participating the EAS encoder.
National Stations e Sign Off
@ Remove the carrier from the air
Log the time and date the Emergency Action
Notification is received at your station
Log
2 Monitor Your EAS Source for the Emergency
Action Termination Message
When the Emergency Action Termination mes-
Sage is received on the EAS decoder, follow the
National Level Termination procedures included in
this handbook.
Monitor
AM & FM Emergency Alert System Procedures * March 1997 15
National Level Termination Procedures
Receive Automatic and Manual Operation
1 Emergenc You will see the words ''Emergency Action Termination"
Acti 5 y on the broadcast station EAS decoder display.
ction
Termination You will hear the following Emergency Action Termination
Message from the EAS decoder.
rN Emergency Action Termination Message
©
This concludes operations under the Emergency
Alert System. All broadcast stations may now
resume normal programming operations.
e Manual Operation Go to Step 2
e Automatic Operation Go to Step 3
16 AM& FM Emergency Alert System Procedures * March 1997
National Level Termination Procedures
Follow M LO tion Onl
Authentication
Procedures Compare the activation words used in the Emergency
Action Termination Message to the enclosed list in the
envelope located on inside front cover of this handbook.
e Activation words are effective 12:01 AM Eastern Time.
If the words do not match,
¢ Take no further action to transmit a message.
If the authenticator words match
Participating Stations Go to Step 3
Non-Participating Stations return carrier
to air and Go to Step 3.
AM & FM Emergency Alert System Procedures * March 1997 17
National Level Termination Procedures
Transmit
EAS
header codes
and
attention signal
EAS Header Codes
=
ATTENTION SIGNAL
(D))
For automatic operation
The EAS encoder will automatically transmit your EAS header code
and attention signal.
For manual operation
Use your EAS encoder to transmit the EAS header code.
Use your EAS encoder to transmit the EAS attention signal.
18 AM&FM Emergency Alert System Procedures * March 1997
National Level Termination Procedures
Transmit For manual operation
this
Announcement
Use the EAS encoder to transmit this announcement
Broadcast this Announcement
This concludes operations under the Emergency
Alert System. All broadcast stations may now
resume normal programming operations.
AM & FM Emergency Alert System Procedures * March 1997 1 9
National Level Termination Procedures
Transmit For automatic operation
the End
of Messa ge Code The EAS encoder will automatically transmit the end of message code.
For manual operation
Use the EAS encoder to transmit the end of message code.
Resume R N 1p
Programming esume Normal Programming
7 Log Receipt of Emergency Message
0s
f Record the time the Emergency Action Termination
Notice was received in records/logs.
20 AM& FM Emergency Alert System Procedures * March 1997
aN Station Notes
AM & FM Emergency Alert System Procedures * March 1997 21
State and Local Activation Procedures
The EAS may be activated at
management’s discretion in con-
nection with day-to-day emer-
gency situations posing a threat
to life and property. These acti-
vations may be performed at the
State or Local Area level by any
AM, FM, TV station or cable
system.
State and Local Area emergency
messages may be transmitted by
using EAS Header and End of
Message Codes. If this option is used
by an AM/FM broadcast station, the
FCC recommends that the codes be
preceded by an announcement that
informs listeners that an EAS
transmission will occur.
EMERGENCY:
A situation posing an extraordinary threat to the safety of life and prop-
erty. Examples are, but not limited to natural situations such as: torna-
does, flash floods, icing conditions, heavy snows, fires and man-made situ-
ations such as: discharge of hazardous materials, power failures, indus-
trial explosions, civil disorders and nuclear incidents.
SEVERE WEATHER WATCH:
A severe weather WATCH indicates that the probabilities of a particu-
larly severe weather storm are high, and is an alert to the public of such
severe weather conditions.
SEVERE WEATHER WARNING:
A severe weather WARNING indicates that a particular severe weather
storm has actually been sighted in an area or indicated by radar, and serves
notice to the public that severe weather conditions are almost certain to
occur.
22 AM& FM Emergency Alert System Procedures * March 1997
State and Local Activation Procedures
1
Receive
requests for
EAS activation
by any of
these methods:
Authenticate
EAS Message
State Primary or the
Local Primary Sources
STATE LEVEL OFFICIAL: A request for activation may be directed to
the State Primary (SP) source by the Governor, his designated representa-
tive, the National Weather Service, or the State Office of Emergency Ser-
vices. Other designated government officials may be found in your State
EAS Plan.
LOCAL LEVEL OFFICIAL: A request for activation may be directed to
the Local Primary (LP) source by the National Weather Service, Local Emer-
gency Management or Public Safety Officials. Other designated govern-
ment officials may be found in your Local EAS Plan.
EAS DECODER DISPLAY. You will see the Emergency Message
on the decoder display.
Authenticate the request for activation according to the EAS State
or Local Area plan.
These sources do not require authentication.
National Weather Service, NOAA Weather Radio, NOAA Weather Wire
AM & FAM Emergency Alert System Procedures * March 1997 23
State & Local Activation Procedures
Transmit For automatic operation
State/Local Programming may be interrupted shortly after you hear
EAS the incoming message. Procedures may vary according to
opening message Station policy.
For manual operation
Record or store the message unless programming is interrupted
to allow the emergency message to be transmitted live.
Broadcast this Announcement
We Interrupt this program because of a
(State or Local) emergency. Important
information will follow.
24 AM& FM Emergency Alert System Procedures * March 1997
State & Local Activation Procedures
4 Transmit For automatic operation
the EAS a
EAS encoder should transmit the header codes and the attention signal .
header codes
followed by the For manual operation
attention signal
8 Use the EAS encoder to transmit the header codes and the attention
signal .
5 Transmit
the Emergency For automatic operation
Message
EAS equipment will transmit the emergency message
For manual operation
Transmit the emergency message (live or from storage) over the air.
If the emergency ts continuing advise your audience to stay tuned
for more messages
AM & FM Emergency Alert System Procedures * March 1997 25
State and Local Activation Procedures
Transmit For automatic operation
the End of
Message The EAS equipment will switch to normal programming when the
Code (EoM) EOM is received.
& For manual operation
Resume regular Transmit the EOM and Follow station procedures to resume normal
programming programming.
26 AM& FM Emergency Alert System Procedures * March 1997
aN Station Notes
AM & FAM Emergency Alert System Procedures * March 1997 27
Monthly and Weekly Tests
EAS Tests Are Required By FCC Regulations
Weekly Tests Weekly tests consist of transmitting the EAS digital
header codes and end of message codes once each week.
Weekly tests must be conducted:
M On different days
@ At different times
Consist of transmitting:
M@ the EAS digital header codes,
M@ the two-tone attention signal,
M@ a brief test script and end of message code.
Monthly Tests
Is substituted for one weekly test.
In odd months monthly test must be conducted in daylight hours (8:30AM to sunset )
In even months monthly test must be conducted at night (sunset to 8:30 AM)
Must be retransmitted within 15 minutes of receipt.
Can be scheduled by State/Local Plan
28 AM& FM Emergency Alert System Procedures * March 1997
Monthly and Weekly Tests
Substitution of
Weekly and
Monthly
EAS Tests
Failure to receive
an EAS test
NO WEEKLY TEST IS NECESSARY during a week
when the monthly test is conducted or when there is an EAS activation
for a State or Local emergency.
NO MONTHLY TEST IS NECESSARY during a month
when there is an EAS activation that includes a two-tone alert signal
and audio message.
IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A TEST EACH WEEK
from your two assigned monitoring sources take the following actions.
HM Determine why no test was received.
¢ Check your station equipment.
¢ Call your monitoring source(s)
HM Document your findings in the station logs.
M@ = Take appropriate corrective action.
AM & FM Emergency Alert System Procedures * March 1997 29
Monthly and Weekly Tests
1
2
3
Receive Test
Transmit Weekly
Test
Discontinue
normal
programming
Resume Normal
Programming
and Log
Weekly Digital Test
Receive and Log the weekly test from your EAS
Monitoring Assignments
Weekly tests must be conducted on different days
and at different times. Weekly tests do not have to
be transmitted upon receipt.
You may wish to notify your listening audience that you
are performing a test of the EAS equipment.
Sample Audio Message
This is a test of the Emergency Alert System.
¢ Transmit Weekly Test Codes
e Transmit End of Message Codes
Use the station EAS encoder to transmit the EAS header code
and the EOM code.
Resume Normal Programming and
Log receipt and transmission of the test
30 AM& FM Emergency Alert System Procedures * March 1997
Monthly and Weekly Tests
Monthly Test
You may wish to notify your listening audience
that you are performing a test of the EAS
equipment.
1 Receive the test
from your EAS
Monitoring
Assignment
P, Transmit
this optional
announcement
Sample Audio Message
This is a test of the Emergency Alert System.
3 Discontinue
normal
programming
Use the EAS encoder to re-transmit the header codes
4 Re-transmit and attention signal within 15 minutes of receipt.
AM & FM Emergency Alert System Procedures * March 1997 31
Monthly and Weekly Tests
Retransmit
the monthly
test script as
received from
your source ® Sample Test Script
This is a coordinated monthly test of the broadcast
stations of your area. Equipment that can quickly
warn you during emergencies is being tested. If
this had been an actual emergency such as (insert
types of emergencies that may occur in the
geographic area), official messages would have
followed the alert tone.
This concludes this test of the Emergency Alert
System.
32 AM& FM Emergency Alert System Procedures * March 1997
Monthly andWeeklyTests
Transmit Monthly Test
the End of
Message Use the station EAS encoder to transmit the EOM
(EOM) code.
Codes
7 Resume Normal Resume Normal Programming and
Programming Log receipt and transmission of the test
and Log
Steps 3 through 7 of the monthly test may be
performed automatically