Nationwide Test Expected to Go Similarly to 2016, Say EAS, FCC Officials
The Sept. 27 nationwide test of the emergency alert system (see 1612280045) is expected by FCC and state EAS officials and industry EAS experts to yield results similar to last year’s. The exercise will be done using very similar parameters to 2016, but unlike that test won’t debut new test codes or procedures, FCC and EAS industry officials told us.
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The agency meanwhile activated a trouble-reporting system as a hurricane bears down on the Gulf Coast. The Federal Emergency Management Administration declined to comment on the national test, as relevant officials were tied up in preparations for Harvey.
EAS participants are used to system tests, and there’s little difference for individual stations between a nationwide test and a more local one, said New Hampshire State EAS Communication Committee (SECC) Chair Edward Brouder: “This is just one more test.” This year’s test does involve some improvements to the FCC’s EAS test reporting system (ETRS), which have led to difficulties for some filers, EAS officials said. Initial filings are due in the ETRS Monday.
An FCC spokesperson said the 2017 test is intended to build on lessons learned from last year's but also said the upcoming one is similar to the previous one. An FCC report after the 2016 test recommended improving the system by using the integrated public alert warning system as the primary alerting system and relegating the legacy system of EAS alerts triggered by other broadcasters to a backup role (see 1704210065), but that change hasn’t been implemented and isn’t part of this test, said Monroe Electronics Senior Director-Strategy and Government Affairs Ed Czarnecki. The FCC is likely to act in that direction “after the dust settles” from the upcoming test, he said. Use of the legacy alerting system prevented some stations that planned to issue-Spanish language alerts from doing so in the 2016 test, and a similar result is likely in the 2017 version, Czarnecki said.
The FCC needs to establish standards for equipment and define its requirements for such changes to take place, EAS officials said. Without a standardization effort, EAS equipment makers would each pursue its own solutions, said California State Emergency Communication Committee Chair Richard Rudman.
Though the 2017 test won’t be much different from last year’s, every EAS official we spoke with heartily endorsed the concept of annual nationwide tests. Having a nationwide alert that isn’t tested would be akin to owning a car but never starting it, said Washington SECC Chair Clay Freinwald. “It is important to test regularly in order to test the effectiveness of the equipment and plans, as well as identify issues so they can be remedied,” said Kerry Plackmeyer, chief engineer at WBAL-AM Baltimore and Maryland SECC co-chair. With this test coming so quickly after the previous one, EAS officials expect it to go smoothly, they all said.
One slightly new wrinkle for the 2017 test is the improved ETRS. The agency in June urged participants to create usernames (see 1706260058). Though the FCC said the improved system is intended to reduce burdens for EAS participants, some broadcasters are reporting difficulties using the system and incorrect filings in advance of Monday’s deadline, EAS officials said. “This system is supposed to be able to monitor who filed,” Wilkinson Barker broadcast attorney David Oxenford blogged, urging broadcasters not to miss Monday’s deadline. “You don’t want to stick out as missing the required filing when the FCC reviews the results of the test that are submitted.” Information on the use of the ETRS system is availible here. Though the deadline for initial filings is Monday, the system will still accept late filings, an FCC official told us.
Next up: a 2018 nationwide test. It's expected to focus on the legacy EAS, Czarnecki said.
Emergency Communications Notebook
The FCC prepared for Hurricane Harvey’s onslaught on the Texas Gulf Coast by activating the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS), instituting 24-hour availability for relevant officials throughout the weekend, and announcing procedures to provide emergency communications in affected areas, the Public Safety Bureau said in three public notices Friday. DIRS is a “voluntary, web-based system” that communications providers can use to report “communications infrastructure status and situational awareness information” during disasters, a PN said. The FCC wants providers in the affected areas to update DIRS on the status of equipment, restoration efforts and the availability of power, a PN said. “Reports are requested beginning 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 26, 2017, and every day after that by 10:00 a.m. until DIRS is deactivated,” a PN said. In another PN, the Media, Wireless, Wireline and International bureaus provided contact information for bureau staff and outlined procedures for providers in affected areas to request special temporary authority from each bureau.
The White House, meanwhile, said that “this storm will likely be very destructive for several days. The President encourages people in the path of this dangerous storm to heed the advice and orders of their local and State officials.” The FCC is "working in close coordination with the Department of Homeland Security and state and local partners to prepare for the impacts,” said Chairman Ajit Pai.