At its July 12th meeting, the FCC authorized state and local officials to conduct “live code” tests of the Emergency Alert System, which use the same alert codes and processes as would be used in actual emergencies. These tests can help increase the efficiency of the EAS service.
The FCC also will allow authorized Public Service Announcements (PSAs) about the Emergency Alert System to include the system’s Attention Signal and simulated Header Code tones.
IMPORTANT THIS DOES NOT MEAN YOU CAN USE THE EAS CODES IN ADVERTISING, IN PROGRAMS OR EVEN MOST PSA’S. IF YOU DO YOU WILL BE FINED HEAVILY. ONLY GOVERNMENT AUTHORIZED PSA’S FROM GOVERNMENT AGENCIES MAY USE THE EAS TONES.
In addition, the FCC adopted rules to require Emergency Alert System equipment to be configured in a manner that can help prevent false alerts and requires an EAS participant to inform the Commission if it discovers that it has transmitted a false alert. In addition, in an accompanying Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Commission seeks comment on other specific measures to help stakeholders prevent and correct false alerts.
For more information about the FCC’s decision click HERE.
Click HERE for next story
Click HERE for previous story