Workshop on Emergency Communications and for Citizen Readiness Emergency Alerting System (EAS) David Thompson, TIA "This is a test of the Emergency Alert System -- this is only a test...." December 1-2, 2004

EAS Overview Established by the FCC in November 1994 with approval of Part 11 EAS Rules (i.e., 47 C.F.R Part 11). In 1996, EAS replaced the Emergency Broadcast System (EBS) [and CONELRAD] as a tool the President and other emergency management officials (including FEMA, state and local levels) may utilize to send out important emergency information. Digital-based automated system. Uses coding protocols similar to NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME). Targeted to a specific or affected area. Access to thousands of broadcast stations, cable systems, satellite programmers, pagers and new forms of digital technology and emerging delivery mechanisms Including Direct Broadcast Satellite, HDTV and Video Dial Tone.

EAS Overview EAS Overview (cont’d) EAS accounts for the needs of special populations such as the deaf and those with differing language requirements. FCC adopted new naming conventions and event codes for EAS. All EAS equipment manufactured after August 1, 2003 is required to be capable of receiving and transmitting the new event codes. Related EAS: Child Abduction Emergency event code for use in connection with local, state and regional "AMBER" (America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response) Plans. FCC Webpage: http://www.fcc.gov/eb/eas/

WHAT DOES THE NEW EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM MEAN FOR YOU? Automatic Operation. The EAS digital system architecture allows broadcast stations, cable systems, participating satellite companies, and other services to send and receive emergency information quickly and automatically even if those facilities are unattended. Redundancy. The EAS requires monitoring of at least two independent sources for emergency information. This insures that emergency information is received and delivered to viewers and listeners. Less Intrusive. EAS tests are shorter and less obtrusive to viewers and listeners. Therefore, when people do hear or see the EAS messages, they will take them more seriously. Second Language. Do you or someone you know watch Spanish-language programming? EAS digital messages can be automatically converted into any language used by the broadcast station or cable system.

Existing Standards Related to Emergency Alerting Some identified standards related to emergency alerting: CEA-608, Line 21 Data Services (how to transmit and receive EAS and NOAA alerts via line 21 of NTSC video) CEA-2009, Receiver Performance Specification for Public Alert Receivers (how to receive alert messages via NOAA Weather Radio) NRSC-4, US RBDS Standard (how to transmit and receive FCC EAS messages via FM RDS subcarrier) ATSC-A/65B Program and System Information Protocol for Terrestrial Broadcast and Cable (defines method for sending messages intended for a specific county or portion of a county) ANSI-J-STD-042-2002 (also SCTE 18 2002), Emergency Alert Message for Cable, a joint standard with CEA. Currently in a revision process, with SCTE taking the lead. Standard is supported by other cable network standards, including SCTE 28, 40, 41 and 54.

Existing Standards Related to Emergency Alerting The U.S. Chapter of the Cellular Emergency Alert Services Association (CEASA) has endorsed the CellAlert EAS-2 Interface Decoder Jointly developed by Multi-Technical Services and Cell Broadcast Technologies. The decoder allows cellular provider networks, with cell-broadcast messaging capability, to instantly send EAS information to subscribers in, or entering, a designated warning location.

FCC NPRM on Emergency Alert System This August 2004 NPRM (EB Docket No. 04-296) examines the EAS and seeks comment on whether EAS, in its present form, is the most effective mechanism for warning the American public of an emergency and, if not, on how EAS can be improved. Additionally, the NPRM examines whether the EAS should be extended to other services, like cellular systems. Comments were due October 29, 2004 and reply comments were due Monday, November 29. Comments include NAB, CEA, CTIA, TIA, wireless carriers, others. To view all comments, go to: http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/comsrch_v2.cgi and type in "04-296" under "proceeding."

FCC NPRM on Emergency Alert System Issues considered, include: Ways current EAS system could be improved? Consistent standards or a system that can be deployed easily, consistently, and efficiently? Possible creation of the Media Common Alert Protocol (MCAP) standard for EAS. Extending EAS to cellular and other wireless systems? Voluntarily deployment? Extent of consideration for persons with disabilities and non English speaking citizens (mentioned in the NPRM)?

FCC NPRM on Emergency Alert System Excerpts of some comments, include: NAB generally supports FCC efforts to improve system including its extension to digital television and digital radio. NAB also advocates ending cable overrides of local broadcast weather warnings as part of the solution. Noted mandatory requirements for state and local EAS warnings will not “fix” EAS deficiencies. It is through broadcasters’ voluntary cooperation and a strengthening of state and local emergency plans that the government can best enhance public warnings.

FCC NPRM on Emergency Alert System Excerpts of some comments, include: CTIA recommends that the Commission refrain from mandating the deployment of a nationwide wireless alert and warning system. Supports Commission working with all interested entities to upgrade and revitalize the existing EAS voluntary deployment. Emphasizes that there are many technological differences between wireless providers and existing EAS messaging mechanisms, which suggest that adapting the current system to the wireless network would be difficult.

FCC NPRM on Emergency Alert System Excerpts of some comments, include: Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) supports an efficient and technologically current public alert and warning system. Supports improvement of current EAS model; including consistent standards, easy and voluntary deployment and development of the Media Common Alert Protocol (MCAP) non-proprietary standard for EAS (supported by Media security and Reliability Council Future Technologies/Digital Solutions Task Force). Believes state and local government participation in EAS should be mandatory (currently only Presidential).

FCC NPRM on Emergency Alert System Excerpts of some comments, include: Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) notes that NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) and EAS complement each other, yet are two different distribution systems (direct and media-based, respectively). NWR announcements are transmitted directly to the public using receivers readily available in the consumer marketplace with a variety of features. General receivers that monitor the NWR channel are desired by some, but there also is a substantial demand for radios that “wake up” and alert listeners when certain types of messages are broadcast.

FCC NPRM on Emergency Alert System Excerpts of some comments, include (con’t): CEA (Con’t). CEA suggested closer integration of EAS and NWR would improve public awareness of these facilities and quicken the dissemination of critical emergency information. CEA indicated that mandatory standards on equipment would disserve the public interest. “Manufacturers will adjust their products in response to marketplace demands, and with increased public attention on security alerts, new equipment and functionalities will appear built upon the EAS/NWR foundation.” “Just as new applications and equipment continually appear for GPS receivers without an FCC mandate, so too we expect that the increased security consciousness of the public will result in better equipment employing new technologies and functionalities.”

FCC NPRM on Emergency Alert System Excerpts of some comments, include: Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Telecommunications Access (RERC) indicated that Community education about the EAS is needed, and efforts at public education must be accessible. Virtually every decision point on the EAS will have an effect on the ability of people with disabilities to obtain emergency information on an equitable basis with those who do not have disabilities. The expansion of emergency alerting into technologies that Americans use today will benefit people with disabilities by providing a choice of modality and reaching them wherever they are. Attention to accessibility provisions for broadcast technologies and cable is needed for even basic access to today’s alerts.

Questions? TIA Contacts: Dan Bart dbart@tiaonline.org David Thompson dthompson@tiaonline.org