The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is a national public warning system that requires broadcasters, cable television systems, wireless cable systems, satellite digital audio radio service (SDARS) providers, and direct broadcast satellite (DBS) providers to provide the communications capability to the President to address the American public during a national emergency. The system also may be used by state and local authorities to deliver important emergency information, such as AMBER alerts and weather information targeted to specific areas.
The FCC, in conjunction with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service (NWS), implements the EAS at the federal level. The President has sole responsibility for determining when the EAS will be activated at the national level, and has delegated this authority to the director of FEMA. FEMA is responsible for implementation of the national-level activation of the EAS, tests, and exercises. The NWS develops emergency weather information to alert the public about imminent dangerous weather conditions.
The FCC's role includes prescribing rules that establish technical standards for the EAS, procedures for EAS participants to follow in the event The EAS is activated, and EAS testing protocols. Additionally, the FCC ensures that the EAS state and local plans developed by industry conform to FCC EAS rules and regulations.
Resources
- Certified EAS Equipment Vendors
- State EAS Plans and Chairs
- EAS Rules (47 C.F.R. Part 11)
- FEMA Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS)
- National Weather Service
Handbooks
The handbooks listed below contain instructions for following Emergency Alert procedures in the following categories:
- TV (including Digital TV) [En Español]
- AM & FM (including Digital Audio Broadcast) [En Español]
- Cable Systems [En Español]
- Satellite (including Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service) [En Español]
- Wireline Video Providers [En Español]
Archives
- 2015 6th Report & Order (pdf)
- 2013 Reports On Lessons Learned From The 2011 Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test (pdf)
- 2012 5th Report & Order (pdf)
- 2011 4th Report & Order (pdf)
- 2011 3rd Report & Order (pdf)
- 2007 2nd Report & Order and FNPRM (Next Generation EAS) (pdf)
- 2005 1st Report & Order and FNPRM (Digital) (pdf)
- 2005 Report & Order (Wireless) (pdf)
- 2004 NPRM (Digital) (pdf)
- 2004 NPRM (Wireless Cable Systems) (pdf)
- 2002 Report & Order (New Codes, e.g., Amber Alert) (pdf)
- 1998 3rd Report & Order (Channel Override) (pdf)
- 1997 2nd Report & Order (Cable Systems) (pdf)
- 1995 Memorandum Opinion and Order (Exemption for FM Translators) (pdf)
- 1994 Report & Order and FNPRM (Establishment of EAS) (pdf)