Review of the Emergency Alert System

The Federal Communications Commission has taken steps to strengthen the Emergency Alert System (EAS) by proposing revisions to EAS rules to address problems encountered during the first nationwide test of the EAS.

Specifically, in light of the lessons learned from the nationwide EAS test, which occurred on November 9, 2011, this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposes to: 1) establish a national location code for EAS alerts issued by the President; 2) amend FCC rules governing a national EAS test code for future nationwide tests; 3) require broadcasters, cable service providers, and other entities required to comply with the Commission’s EAS rules (EAS Participants) to file test result data electronically; and 4) require EAS Participants to meet minimal standards to ensure that EAS alerts are accessible to all members of the public, including those with disabilities.