FCC Announces Activation of Nationwide EAS Test Electronic Reporting System and Release of Nationwide EAS Test Handbook

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reminds Emergency Alert System (EAS) Participants (e.g., broadcasters, cable operators, satellite radio and television service providers and wireline video service providers) that on November 9, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), the FCC and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will conduct the first-ever Nationwide EAS Test. The purpose of the test is to assess the reliability and effectiveness of the EAS as a way to alert the public of national emergencies. The test is diagnostic in nature and is intended to allow the FCC and FEMA to determine how well the nationwide EAS works and to make improvements if necessary. Under the FCC’s rules, all EAS Participants must participate in the nationwide test and must submit test result data to the FCC no later than December 27, 2011.

The FCC also announces the release of a Nationwide EAS Test Handbook. The Handbook provides EAS Participants with operational instructions for the test, specifically:

• Relevant background on the EAS
• Technical information on the Nationwide EAS Test
• Information about technical resources available to support participation in the test
• Summary of Nationwide EAS Test result reporting requirements.