Emergency Alert System

Method of emergency broadcasting in the United States

Not to be confused with Wireless Emergency Alerts, Emergency Warning Broadcast system, Emergency Warning System, or Emergency Broadcast System.

Emergency Alert System

Type| Emergency warning system
Country|

United States

TV stations| All broadcast television stations and cable systems
Radio stations| 77 designated Primary Entry Point (PEP) stations. All commercial radio stations

Broadcast area

| Varies; nationwide for national activation, limited to 31 locations at a time for regional activation, including counties, parishes, boroughs (and any other equivalents), entire states, Washington, D.C., and territories

Launch date

| January 1, 1997; 28 years ago (January 1, 1997)
Replaced| Emergency Broadcast System, Local Access Alert

The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is a national warning system in the United States designed to allow authorized officials to broadcast emergency alerts and warning messages to the public via cable, satellite and broadcast television and AM, FM and satellite radio. Informally, Emergency Alert System is sometimes conflated with its mobile phone counterpart Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), a different but related system. However, both the EAS and WEA, among other systems, are coordinated under the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS).

The EAS, and more broadly IPAWS, allows federal, state, and local authorities to efficiently broadcast emergency alert and warning messages across multiple channels.[1] The EAS became operational on January 1, 1997, after being approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in November 1994,[2] replacing the Emergency Broadcast System (EBS), and largely supplanted Local Access Alert systems, though Local Access Alert systems are still used from time to time. Its main improvement over the EBS, and perhaps its most distinctive feature, is its application of a digitally encoded audio signal known as Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME), which is responsible for the characteristic "screeching" or "chirping" sounds at the start and end of each message. The first signal is the "header" which encodes, among other information, the alert type and locations, or the specific area that should receive the message. The last short burst marks the end-of-message. These signals are read by specialized encoder-decoder equipment. This design allows for automated station-to-station relay of alerts to only the area the alert was intended for.

Like the Emergency Broadcast System, the system is primarily designed to allow the president of the United States to address the country via all radio and television stations in the event of a national emergency. Despite this, neither the system nor its predecessors have been used in this manner. The ubiquity of news coverage in these situations, such as during the September 11 attacks, has been credited to making usage of the system unnecessary or redundant.[3] In practice, it is used at a regional scale to distribute information regarding imminent threats to public safety, such as severe weather situations (including flash floods and tornadoes), AMBER Alerts, and other civil emergencies.

It is jointly coordinated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the FCC, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The EAS regulations and standards are governed by the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau of the FCC. All broadcast television, broadcast and satellite radio stations, as well as multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs), are required to participate in the system.

## Technical concept

[edit]

Main article: Specific Area Message Encoding

Messages in the EAS are composed of four parts: a digitally encoded Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) header, an attention signal, an audio announcement, and a digitally encoded end-of-message marker.

A Sage EAS ENDEC unit

The SAME headerⓘ is the most critical part of the EAS design. It contains information about who originated the alert (the president, state or local authorities, the National Weather Service (NOAA/NWS), or the broadcaster), a short, general description of the event (tornado, flood, severe thunderstorm), the areas affected (up to 32 counties or states), the expected duration of the event (in minutes), the date and time it was issued (in UTC), and an identification of the originating station.

There are 79 radio stations designated as National Primary Stations in the Primary Entry Point (PEP) System to distribute presidential messages to other broadcast stations and cable systems.[4]

The National Emergency Message (formerly known as the Emergency Action Notification) is the notice to broadcasters that the president of the United States or their designee will deliver a message over the EAS via the PEP system.[5] The government has stated that the system would allow a president to speak during a national emergency within 10 minutes.[6][7]

List of Primary Entry Point stations[8] Operational area | Station | Citations

|
|

National | NPR, PRN, SXM |
United States Virgin Islands | WSTA | [9]
Puerto Rico | WKAQ | [10]
Maine | WGAN | [11]
New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island | WBZ | [12][13][14][15]
Connecticut | WTIC | [16]
NYC, New Jersey | WABC | [17]
Northeast New York | WROW |
South Central New York | WBNW-FM | [17]
North Central New York | WHEN |
Western New York | WHAM | [17]
Delaware, Eastern Pennsylvania | WTEL, WHYY-FM | [18]
Western Pennsylvania | KDKA | [19]
West Virginia | WCHS | [20]
Maryland | WBAL | [21]
District of Columbia | WFED | [22]
Eastern Virginia | WTAR |
Central Virginia | WRXL | [23]
Western Virginia | WPLY |
Eastern North Carolina | WSFL-FM |
Central North Carolina | WQDR-FM | [24]
Western North Carolina | WBT |
Western South Carolina | WKVG |
South Carolina | WCOS-FM | [25]
Georgia | WMAC, WSRV | [26]
North Florida | WOKV | [27]
Central Florida | WFLF | [27]
South Florida | WAQI | [27]
Alabama | WJOX | [28]
Mississippi | WMSI-FM |
East Tennessee | WJCW, WJXB-FM | [29]
Middle Tennessee, southwest Indiana | WSM | [29][30]
West Tennessee | WREC | [29]
Kentucky, southwest Ohio, southeast Indiana | WLW | [31][32]
Northeast Ohio | WTAM | [32]
Michigan | WJR | [33]
Northwest Indiana, northern Illinois | WLS | [30][34]
Southern Illinois, Eastern Missouri | KMOX | [30][35]
Wisconsin | WTMJ | [36]
Minnesota | WCCO | [37]
Iowa | WHO | [38]
Central Missouri | KTXY |
Western Missouri, Kansas | WHB | [35]
Arkansas | KAAY |
Southeast Louisiana | WWL | [39]
Northwest Louisiana | KWKH |
Central Texas | KLBJ | [40]
North Texas | WBAP, KSCS | [40]
Southeast Texas | KTRH | [40]
West Texas | KROD | [40]
Oklahoma | KRMG |
Nebraska | KRVN | [41]
North Dakota, South Dakota (secondary) | KFYR | [42][43]
Montana | KERR | [44]
Wyoming | KTWO | [45]
Colorado, South Dakota (primary) | KOA | [46]
New Mexico | KKOB |
Arizona | KFLT | [47]
Utah | KSL | [48]
Idaho | KBOI | [49]
Northern Nevada | KKOH |
Southern Nevada | KXNT |
San Diego area | KOGO | [50]
Southern California | KFI, KNX | [50]
Central California | KMJ | [50]
Northern California | KCBS | [50]
Hawaii | HEMA | [51]
American Samoa | WVUV-FM |
Guam and Northern Marianas | KTWG |
Oregon | KOPB-FM, KPNW | [52]
Washington | KIRO | [53]
Alaska | KFQD | [54]

### Primary Entry Point stations

[edit]

The National Public Warning System, also known as the Primary Entry Point (PEP) stations, is a network of 77 radio stations that are, in coordination with FEMA, used to originate emergency alert and warning information to the public before, during, and after incidents and disasters. PEP stations are equipped with additional and backup communications equipment and power generators designed to enable them to continue broadcasting information to the public during and after an event.[55][56][57]

Beginning with WJR Detroit and WLW Cincinnati in 2016, FEMA began the process of constructing transportable studio shelters at the transmitters of 33 PEP stations, which feature broadcasting equipment, emergency provisions, a rest area, and an air filtration system. NPWS project manager Manny Centeno explained that these shelters were designed to "[expand] the survivability of these stations to include an all hazards platform, which means chemical, biological, radiological air protection and protection from electromagnetic pulse."[55][56][57]

### Communication links

[edit]

The FEMA National Radio System (FNARS) "Provides Primary Entry Point service to the Emergency Alert System", and acts as an emergency presidential link into the EAS. The FNARS net control station is located at the Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center.[58]

Once an EAN is received by an EAS participant from a PEP station (or any other participant) the message then "daisy chains'" through the network of participants. "Daisy chains" form when one station receives a message from multiple other stations and the station then forwards that message to multiple other stations. This process creates many redundant paths through which the message may flow, increasing the likelihood that the message will be received by all participants and adding to the survivability of the system. Each EAS participant is required to monitor at least two other participants.

### EAS header

[edit]

Because the header lacks error detection codes, it is repeated three times for redundancy. EAS decoders compare the received headers against one another, looking for an exact match between any two, eliminating most errors that can cause an activation to fail. The decoder then decides whether to ignore the message or to relay it on the air if the message applies to the local area served by the station (following parameters set by the broadcaster).

The SAME header bursts are followed by an EAS attention tone, which lasts between 8 and 25 seconds, depending on the originating station. The tone is 1,050 Hzⓘ on a NOAA Weather Radio station. On commercial broadcast stations, a "two-tone"ⓘ attention signal of 853 Hz and 960 Hz sine waves is used instead, the same signal used by the older Emergency Broadcast System. These tones have become infamous, and can be considered both frightening and annoying by listeners; in fact, the two tones, which form approximately the interval of a just major second at an unusually high pitch, were chosen specifically for their ability to draw attention, due to their unpleasantness on the human ear. The SAME header is equally known for its shrillness, which many have found to be startling. The "two-tone" system is no longer required as of 1998, and is to be used only for audio alerts before EAS messages.[59] Like the EBS, the attention signal is followed by a voice message describing the details of the alert.

The message ends with 3 bursts of the AFSK "EOM", or End of Message, which is the text `NNNN`, preceded each time by the binary 10101011 calibration.

### IPAWS

[edit]

Under a 2006 executive order issued by George W. Bush, the U.S. government was instructed to create "an effective, reliable, integrated, flexible, and comprehensive" public warning system. This was accomplished via expansions to the aforementioned PEP network, and the development of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS)—a national aggregator and distributor of alert information using the XML-based Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) and an internet network. IPAWS can be used to distribute alert information to EAS participants, supported mobile phones (Wireless Emergency Alerts), and other platforms.[60] IPAWS also allows the audio portion of an EAS message to utilize higher quality digital audio, rather than needing to carry the audio off-air from the originating station.[61][62]

Under an FCC report and order issued in 2007, EAS participants would be required to migrate to digital equipment supporting CAP within 180 days of the specification's adoption by FEMA. This was originally scheduled for September 30, 2010, but the deadline was later delayed to June 30, 2012 at the request of broadcasters.[63]

The FCC has established that IPAWS is not a full substitute for the SAME protocol, as it is vulnerable to situations that may make internet connectivity unavailable. Therefore, as a backup distribution path, broadcasters must also convert CAP messages to SAME headers to enable backwards compatibility with the existing "daisy chain" method of EAS distribution.[63][64]

In December 2021, the FCC issued a notice of proposed rulemaking seeking to prioritize the display of alert audio and text from CAP messages, in order to provide higher quality alert audio, improve parity between the visual display and audio for the benefit of the hearing impaired, and to reduce the amount of technical jargon contained within the visual display.[65][61] The rules were enacted in September 2022, with a deadline of December 12, 2023, for compliance;[62] the FCC later granted an extension to some broadcasters due to a delay in the release of associated software updates by EAS decoder vendor Sage.[65]

## Station requirements

[edit]

The FCC requires all broadcast stations and multichannel video programming distributors (MVPD), hereafter "EAS participants", to install and maintain FCC-certified EAS decoders and encoders at their control points or headends. These decoders continuously monitor the signals from other nearby broadcast stations for EAS messages. For reliability, at least two source stations must be monitored, one of which must be a designated local primary. Participants are to retain the latest version of the EAS handbook.

EAS participants are required by federal law to relay National Emergency Messages (EAN, formerly Emergency Action Notification) immediately (47 CFR Part 11.54).[66] Broadcasters traditionally have been allowed to opt out of relaying other alerts such as severe weather, and child abduction emergencies (AMBER Alerts) if they so choose. In practice, many television stations usually interrupt regularly-scheduled programming during newsworthy situations (such as severe weather) to provide extended coverage from their local news departments.[67]

If possible, EAS participants must transmit the audio,[62] and (where applicable) a visual display containing the extended text, from the associated CAP message.[63][64]

EAS participants are required to keep logs of all received messages. Logs may be kept by hand but are usually kept automatically by a small receipt printer in the encoder/decoder unit. Logs may also be kept electronically inside the unit as long as there is access to an external printer or method to transfer them to a computer.

## System tests

[edit]

All EAS equipment must be tested on a weekly basis. The required weekly test (RWT) consists, at a minimum, of the header and end-of-message tones. Though an RWT does not need an audio or graphic message announcing the test, many stations provide them as a courtesy to the public. In addition, television stations are not required to transmit a video message for weekly tests. RWTs are scheduled by the station on random days and times, though quite often during late night or early afternoon hours, and are generally not relayed.[59]

A Required Monthly Test (RMT) transmitted in New Jersey on April 15, 2014, as shown on a television set

Required monthly tests (RMTs) are generally originated by the local or state primary station, a state emergency management agency, or by the National Weather Service and are then relayed by broadcast stations and cable channels. RMTs must be performed between 8:30 a.m. and local sunset during odd numbered months, and between local sunset and 8:30 a.m. during even-numbered months. Received monthly tests must be retransmitted within 60 minutes of receipt.[59][68] Additionally, an RMT should not be scheduled or conducted during an event of great importance such as a pre-announced presidential speech, coverage of a national/local election, major local or national news coverage outside regularly scheduled newscast hours or a major national sporting event such as the Super Bowl or World Series, with other events such as the Indianapolis 500 and Olympic Games mentioned in individual EAS state plans.

An RWT is not required during a calendar week in which an RMT is scheduled. No testing has to be done during a calendar week in which all parts of the EAS (header burst, attention signal, audio message, and end of message burst) have been legitimately activated.

In July 2018, in response to the aftermath of the false missile alert in Hawaii earlier in the year (which was caused by operator error during an internal drill protocol), the FCC announced that it would take steps to promote public awareness and improve efficiency of the system, including requiring safeguards to prevent distribution of false alarms, the ability to authorize "live code" tests—which would simulate the process and response to an actual emergency, and authorizations to use the EAS tones in public service announcements that promote awareness of the system.[69][70]

### Nationwide tests

[edit]

National EAS Test

Audio recording of the first national EAS test on November 9, 2011, as heard on WISN-TV in Milwaukee and the cable EAS of Charter Communications' Wisconsin headend.

* * *

Problems playing this file? See media help.

Seventh National EAS Test

An audio recording of the seventh National Periodic EAS test that occurred on October 4, 2023, heard on KEYC-TV in Mankato, Minnesota.

* * *

Problems playing this file? See media help.

On February 3, 2011, the FCC announced plans and procedures for national EAS tests, which involve all television and radio stations connected to the EAS, as well as all cable and satellite services in the United States. They are not relayed on the NOAA Weather Radio (NOAA/NWS) network as it is an initiation-only network and does not receive messages from the PEP network.[71][72] The national test would transmit and relay an Emergency Action Notification on November 9, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. EST.[73][74]

The Federal Communications Commission found that only half of the participants received the message via Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, and some "failed to receive or retransmit alerts due to erroneous equipment configuration, equipment readiness and upkeep issues, and confusion regarding EAS rules and technical requirements", and that participation among low-power broadcasters was low. Many reported visuals or audio missing, and in the case of DirecTV, hearing Lady Gaga music instead.[75][76] To reduce viewer confusion, the FCC stated that future national tests would be delivered under the new event code "National Periodic Test" ("NPT"), and list "United States" as its location.[77][78]

A second national test, the first classified as an NPT, occurred on September 28, 2016 as part of National Preparedness Month.[79][80] A third national periodic test occurred on September 27, 2017.[81]

The fourth NPT occurred on October 3, 2018 (delayed from September 20, 2018, due to Hurricane Florence). It was preceded by the first mandatory wireless emergency alert test.[82][83][84]

The fifth NPT occurred on August 7, 2019, and moved up from past years to prevent it from occurring during the heart of the Atlantic hurricane season. The test focused exclusively on distribution to broadcast outlets and television providers via the primary entry point network to gauge the efficiency of alert distribution in the event the internet cannot be used.[85][86]

The sixth NPT was postponed to 2021 amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic "out of consideration for the unusual circumstances and working conditions for those in the broadcast and cable industry."[87] The sixth test occurred on August 11, 2021, at 2:20 pm EDT.[88] This test involved the WEA system alongside television and radio.

As of 2022, as part of a clarification and streamlining of terminology used in messages, further NPTs will now be referred to in the test message as a "Nationwide Test of the Emergency Alert System" issued by the United States Government.[89] On May 3, 2022, it was announced that the seventh NPT would not take place during 2022, and instead occur in early 2023.[90]

On August 3, 2023, FEMA and the FCC announced that the seventh NPT would occur October 4, 2023 with a backup date of October 11, 2023. The test commenced just before 2:20 pm ET, and consisted of an alert on TV/radio as well as a WEA on all cell phones.[91]

## Additions and proposals

[edit]

The number of event types in the national system has grown to eighty. At first, all but three of the events (civil emergency message, immediate evacuation, and emergency action notification [national emergency]) were weather-related (such as a tornado warning). Since then, several classes of non-weather emergencies have been added, including, in most states, the AMBER Alert System for child abduction emergencies. In 2016, three additional weather alert codes were authorized for use in relation to hurricane events, including Extreme Wind Warning (EWW), Storm Surge Warning (SSW) and Storm Surge Watch (SSA).

In 2004, the FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR) seeking 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, such as mandatory text messages to cellphones, regardless of subscription. As noted above, rules implemented by the FCC on July 12, 2007 provisionally endorse incorporating CAP with the SAME protocol.

In November 2020, Congress passed the Reliable Emergency Alert Distribution Improvement (READI) Act.[92] First sponsored by Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz in response to the Hawaii false missile alert, it amends the Warning, Alert, and Response Network (WARN) Act to require distribution of wireless alerts issued by the administrator of FEMA, and commands the FCC to establish a means of reporting false alerts, encourage the establishment of State Emergency Communications Committees (SECC) that would meet annually to evaluate their EAS plans, require the repetition of alerts surrounding "emergencies of national significance", and open an inquiry into the feasibility of implementing the EAS on internet-related services.[93][94][95][96][97][98]

## Limitations

[edit]

The EAS can only be used to relay audio messages that preempt all programming; as the intent of an Emergency Action Notification is to serve as a "last-ditch effort to get a message out if the president cannot get to the media", it can easily be made redundant by the immediate and constant coverage that major weather events and other newsworthy situations—such as, most prominently, the September 11 attacks in 2001—receive from television broadcasters and news channels. Following the attacks, then-FCC chairman Michael K. Powell cited "the ubiquitous media environment" as justification for not using the EAS in their immediate aftermath. Glenn Collins of The New York Times acknowledged these limitations, noting that "no president has ever used the current [EAS] system or its technical predecessors in the last 50 years, despite the Soviet missile crisis, a presidential assassination, the Oklahoma City bombing, major earthquakes and three recent high-alert terrorist warnings", and that using it would have actually hindered the availability of live coverage from media outlets.[3][99]

Following the tornado outbreak of March 3, 2019, Birmingham, Alabama NWS meteorologist Kevin Laws told CNN that he, personally, wished that alerts could be updated in real-time in order to reflect the unpredictable nature of weather events, noting that the storm system's unexpected change in trajectory towards Lee County resulted in only a nine-minute warning (the resulting tornado would kill 23 people).[93]

The trend of cord cutting has led to concerns that viewers' lessened use of broadcast media in favor of streaming video services would inhibit their ability to receive emergency information (notwithstanding availability of alerts on mobile phones).[93][94] The READI Act called for an inquiry into the distribution of alerts via internet platforms.[93]

## Incidents

[edit]

### False alarms

[edit]

* On April 21, 1997, several television and radio stations in Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, and Ohio mistakenly received a false Emergency Action Notification. Early indications pointed to a human error at the National Emergency Coordination Center in Virginia that routed a test requested by a relay for the Chicago Metropolitan Area to test out one radio station's then-new EAS equipment as part of the EBS/EAS transition.[100]
* On February 1, 2005 in Connecticut, an alert was mistakenly issued calling for the immediate evacuation of the entire state. The alert contained no specific detail on why it had been issued. The message was broadcast due to operator error while conducting an unannounced, but scheduled statewide test. A study conducted following the incident reported that at least 11% of residents actually saw the warning live, and that 63% of those surveyed were "a little or not at all concerned"—citing a suspicious lack of detail in the message, which a legitimate alert would include. Only 1% of those surveyed actually attempted to leave the state. Connecticut State Police did not receive any calls related to the incident.[101][102][103]
* On June 26, 2007 at 7:35 a.m. CDT, an EAN was accidentally issued in Illinois, when a new satellite receiver at the state's EOC was accidentally connected to a live system before final internal testing of the new delivery path had been completed. The alert was followed by dead air, and then audio from designated station 720 WGN in Chicago being simulcast across almost every television and radio station in the Chicago area and throughout much of Illinois. A confused Spike O'Dell, host of the station's morning show at the time, was heard on-air wondering "what that beeping was all about".[104][105]
* On May 19, 2010, NOAA Weather Radio and CSEPP tone alert radios in the Hermiston, Oregon area, near the Umatilla Chemical Depot, were activated with an EAS alert shortly after 5 p.m. The message transmitted was for a severe thunderstorm warning, issued by the National Weather Service in Pendleton, but the transmission broadcast instead was a long period of silence, followed by a few words in Spanish. Umatilla County Emergency Management has stressed there was no emergency at the depot.[106]
* On September 3, 2016, in the wake of Tropical Storm Hermine, an alert was displayed on television calling for the immediate evacuation of the entirety of Suffolk County, abruptly ending with the incomplete sentence "This is an emergency message from". About 15 minutes after the original message was sent, the alert was re-issued with an addendum clarifying that the alert was actually calling for a voluntary evacuation of Fire Island—a barrier island of Long Island. Officials cited an error in the county's Code Red system; while the correct message was entered into the system, an error processing an abbreviated message for television resulted in the error.[107][108]
* On May 23, 2017, at around 8:55 p.m. EDT, a Nuclear Power Plant Warning was issued for the Hope Creek and Salem Nuclear Power Plants. The alert was issued for Salem and Cumberland counties in New Jersey. In a statement by the New Jersey State Police, it was a test message, intended for a small group of emergency management personnel who were participating in the test. Due to a coding error, the message was publicly broadcast. This would happen again in July 2022.[109]
* On August 15, 2017 at approximately 12:25 a.m. ChST, Guam stations KTWG and KSTO transmitted a civil danger warning for the island; Guam Homeland Security described the message, which interrupted programming on the stations, and was received on television by some viewers, as being an "unauthorized test" of the EAS. The incident's impact was strengthened, as North Korea had threatened the launch of ballistic missiles towards Guam only a few days beforehand. Numerous calls to 911 operators and the Department of Homeland Security were made following the broadcast.[110][111]

On January 13, 2018, a false alarm was issued warning of a missile threat to Hawaii.

* On January 13, 2018 at approximately 8:07 a.m. HST, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) mistakenly issued an emergency alert warning of a ballistic missile inbound threatening the region, which was claimed to be not a drill. 38 minutes later, it was announced by HI-EMA and the Honolulu Police Department that the alert was a false alarm.[112][113] The incident came amidst heightened concern over the possibility that Hawaii could be targeted by North Korean missiles (in December 2017, Hawaii tested its missile sirens for the first time since the Cold War).[114] HI-EMA administrator Vern Miyagi stated that the incident was a "mistake made during a standard procedure at the change over of a shift".[115]
* On August 31, 2022, amid wildfires, an immediate evacuation notice for the Castiac, California area, which was issued by the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management and transmitted over NOAA Weather Radio, was mistakenly sent out to include the Eastern North Pacific Ocean and Port Conception to Guadalupe; the alert text repeatedly listed "Eastern North Pacific Ocean" or "Eastern North Pacific" twelve different times. Although a real emergency had occurred, the Ventura County Sheriff's Office stated that the alert had been issued for those areas in error.[116][117]

### Cybersecurity breaches

[edit]

EAS equipment has been the subject of various cyberattacks, caused primarily by participants using insecure or factory default passwords on their encoders and decoders, and outdated software containing unpatched vulnerabilities. On multiple occasions, federal government departments have warned that failure to employ secure passwords and keep software updated made EAS equipment vulnerable to such attacks, which could result in disruptions such as false alerts.[118][119][120][121]

* In February 2013, the EAS equipment of several stations in Great Falls, Montana and Marquette, Michigan were breached to play a false alert allegedly warning of a zombie apocalypse, using the lines "Civil authorities in your area have reported that the bodies of the dead are rising from the graves and attacking the living". It was identified that the attack had come from an "overseas" source. Furthermore, the broadcasters had neglected to change the factory default logins or passwords on their equipment. Because of this, the FCC, FEMA, equipment manufacturers, as well as trade groups, including the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, urged broadcasters to change their passwords and to recheck their security measures.[122][123][124][119][120]
* In a related incident, WIZM-FM in La Crosse, Wisconsin accidentally triggered the EAS on television station WKBT-DT by airing a recording of the false message during its morning show. The relayed audio included the hosts' reactions and laughter to the clip.[125]
* On February 28, 2017, WZZY in Winchester, Indiana was hijacked in a nearly identical manner, playing the same "dead bodies" audio from the February 2013 incidents. The incident prompted a public response from the Randolph County Sheriff's Department clarifying that there was no actual emergency.[126][127]
* In January 2020, Security Ledger published an investigation finding that at least 50 EAS decoders by Digital Alert Systems had not been patched for a security vulnerability (use of a shared SSH key) found by IOActive in 2013.[121]
* On February 20, 2020, the EAS equipment of Washington-based provider Wave Broadband was hijacked, causing approximately 3,000 customers in Jefferson County to receive several false alerts (including a "Radiological Hazard Warning"), which contained irrelevant and comedic messages (including one suggesting that the provider change its passwords) and alert audio referencing internet memes and Twitch streamer Vinesauce (who was unaffiliated with this breach).[128][129] On March 2 and 3, 2020, a legitimate Required Monthly Test was displayed with a message ("AIGHT IM DONE U CAN REST NOW. MR GERDE WAS HERE") that had also appeared in the hijack: a company official stated that this was a remnant of the attack that had not yet been removed.[130][131]

### Tone usage outside of alerts

[edit]

To protect the integrity of the system, and prevent false activations, the FCC prohibits the use of actual or simulated EAS/WEA tones and attention signals outside of genuine alerts, tests, or authorized public service announcements, especially when they are used "to capture audience attention during advertisements; dramatic, entertainment, and educational programs" (even if the footage is documentation of an event where an actual alert was issued).[132] Broadcasters who misuse the tones may be sanctioned (including being required to partake in compliance measures) and fined.[132]

* Tones from the EAS were used in the trailer for the 2013 film Olympus Has Fallen; cable providers were fined $1.9 million by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on March 3, 2014, for misuse of EAS tones.[133] An event similar to this previously occurred in November 2013, when TBS was fined $25,000 for the use of EAS tones in a Conan advertisement.[134]
* During the October 24, 2014 episode of the syndicated radio show The Bobby Bones Show, host Bobby Bones played audio from the 2011 national test as part of a rant about a genuine test from Nashville's Fox affiliate, WZTV, that interrupted Game 2 of the 2014 World Series on October 22. The errant Emergency Action Notification was relayed to some broadcasters and cable systems—particularly those not configured to reject EAN messages that did not match the current date. On May 19, 2015, iHeartMedia, who distributes the show and owns its flagship station WSIX-FM, was fined $1 million for the incident. The company was also ordered to implement a three-year compliance plan to avoid any further incidents, including removing all EAS tones or similar-sounding noises from its audio production libraries.[135][136]
* From August 4 to 6, 2016, Tegna, Inc.-owned NBC affiliate WTLV in Jacksonville, Florida aired an ad several times during NBC's primetime coverage of the 2016 Summer Olympics produced by the marketing department of the National Football League's Jacksonville Jaguars featuring out-of-sequence EAS tones over Jaguars training camp footage and a voiceover noting "this is not a test, this is an emergency broadcast transmission...seek shelter immediately", along with the on-screen text "the storm is coming". The ad aired four times before station compliance authorities pulled the advertisement after the local news industry blog FTVLive criticized the station for carrying it, especially during the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season. FTVLive's piece would be noted by the FCC in their decision against WTLV rendered on May 30, 2017, when it was given a $55,000 fine for carrying the offending Jaguars ad.[137][138]
* The FCC issued several fines relating to EAS tone usage in August 2019, including ABC being fined $395,000 for using wireless emergency alert tones multiple times during a Jimmy Kimmel Live sketch, AMC Networks being fined $104,000 for using the tones in The Walking Dead episode "Omega", Discovery Inc. being fined $68,000 for including footage of an actual WEA activation during a Lone Star Law episode filmed during Hurricane Harvey, and Meruelo Group was fined $61,000 for including an EAS-like tone during a radio advertisement for KDAY and KDEY-FM's morning show.[132]
* On September 9, 2019, the FCC proposed a $272,000 fine against CBS for using simulated EAS tones in the Young Sheldon episode, "A Mother, A Child, and a Blue Man's Backside".[139] CBS defended the statement, saying that the tones' usage was a "dramatic portrayal", and that it was an "integral part of the storyline about a family's visceral reaction to a life-threatening emergency". The show's sound editors achieved the effect by downloading EAS tones from YouTube and modifying the volume of the tone. CBS passed the edited tone through three quality rooms equipped with EAS decoders and pre-screened the episode to make sure it did not trigger an actual alert. Also, the show's dialogue was used to obscure some elements of the alert. However, the FCC insisted that the modified tone still sounded like a normal EAS tone, despite the volume being lowered and the tone being cut short in duration. It also said that the pre-screening process did not excuse an unauthorized usage of the EAS tones.[140]
* On April 7, 2020, the FCC proposed a $20,000 fine against New York City radio station WNEW-FM, for using the attention signal during its morning show on October 3, 2018 as part of a skit discussing the National Periodic Test held later that day.[141]
* In January 2023, the FCC proposed a $504,000 fine against Fox Corporation for using EAS tones during a promo broadcast on Fox NFL Sunday in November 2021.[142]
* On October 17, 2024, the FCC proposed a $146,976 fine against ESPN for misusing the EAS tones during a promotional segment for the start of the 2023–24 NBA season that aired during the week of October 20–24, 2023.[143]

In an opposite move, in 2013 the FCC granted a one-year waiver for a PSA pertaining to the Wireless Emergency Alerts system, with assurance that the tones used in the PSA contained a different set of codes designed not to activate EAS receivers.[144]

### Testing errors

[edit]

* On October 19, 2008, KWVE-FM in San Clemente, California accidentally initiated a Required Monthly Test when it meant to conduct a Required Weekly Test. Furthermore, an operator aborted the test mid-way through the broadcast (failing to broadcast the end-of-message tone), causing all area outlets to broadcast KWVE-FM's programming until those stations took their equipment offline.[145] On September 15, 2009, the FCC fined the station's owner, Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, $5,000. After the fine was levied, various state broadcast associations in the United States submitted joint letters to the FCC, protesting against the fine, saying that the commission could have handled the matter better.[146] On November 13, 2009, the FCC rescinded its fine against KWVE-FM, but had still admonished the station for broadcasting an unauthorized RMT, as well as omitting the code to end the test.[147]
* On September 28, 2016, an emergency alert was broadcast by WKTV in Utica, New York that contained a Hazardous Materials Warning for the entire United States. The message contained a non-sequitur quote from the Dr. Seuss book Green Eggs and Ham, "Would you. Could you. On a train?" WKTV apologized and stated that the alert was "an automated test [from FEMA] which was not intended for public display." A FEMA representative stated that its decoders had been mistakenly "configured to poll a test and development message aggregator instead of or in addition to the production message aggregator", with the test server having used the Green Eggs and Ham quote as placeholder text. The error was also connected to conspiracy theories surrounding a train crash in New Jersey that occurred the next day, which claimed that the alert was a forewarning of the incident.[148]
* On September 21, 2017, a technical glitch in another scheduled test by KWVE caused the end-of-message tone to be omitted, causing regional participants (particularly Charter and Cox Cable systems in Orange County) to simulcast a portion of Chuck Swindoll's Insight for Living program. Some viewers speculated that the system had been hijacked, as the portion of the program relayed (where Swindoll was discussing the Bible verse 2 Timothy 3:1, and stated, "Realize this, extremely violent times will come.") could be insinuated out of context as discussing an impending apocalypse.[149][150][151]

## See also

[edit]

* 1990s portal

* Alert Ready (Canada)
* Cell Broadcast
* Digital Emergency Alert System (DEAS)
* Earthquake Early Warning (Japan)
* Emergency population warning
* Emergency Public Warning System
* Flash Flood Guidance Systems
* HANDEL (UK's former National Attack Warning System)
* ICANN's TEAC (Transfer Emergency Action Contact) channel in cases of URL hijacking
* J-Alert (Japan)
* Local Access Alert
* Mexican Seismic Alert System (Mexico's Earthquake Early Warning System, which also employs Specific Area Message Encoding technology)
* National Severe Weather Warning Service
* National Warning System
* NOAA Weather Radio
* Nuclear football
* Nuclear MASINT
* Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service
* ShakeAlert
* Specific Area Message Encoding
* Standard Emergency Warning Signal (Australia)
* Wartime Broadcasting Service
* Weatheradio Canada
* Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Integrated Public Alert & Warning System". fema.gov. Federal Emergency Management Agency. September 18, 2018. Archived from the original on September 22, 2018. Retrieved September 22, 2018. "IPAWS provides public safety officials with an effective way to alert and warn the public about serious emergencies using the Emergency Alert System (EAS), Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Weather Radio, and other public alerting systems from a single interface."
2. ^ "What is Conelrad? EBS? EAS?". Archived from the original on April 5, 2015. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
3. ^ a b Collins, Glenn (December 21, 2001). "The Silence of the Alert System; Experts Urge Overhaul of Plan Unused Even on Sept. 11". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 21, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2017.
4. ^ "The National Public Warning System". FEMA.gov. May 12, 2017. Archived from the original on June 14, 2017. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
5. ^ "Emergency Alert System 2001 AM & FM Handbook". Emergency Alert System 2001 AM & FM Handbook. United States: United States Federal Communications Commission. 2001. p. 4.
6. ^ "Emergency broadcasts can be hacked, US researchers say". BBC News. July 9, 2013. Archived from the original on December 22, 2018. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
7. ^ "'Hello, This Is Your President'". Radio World. February 2, 2010. Archived from the original on July 31, 2019. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
8. ^ "Power Outage Incident Annex to the Response and Recovery Federal Interagency Plans" (PDF). FEMA. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
9. ^ "Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency Annual Report 2011" (PDF). vitema.vi.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
10. ^ "PUERTO RICO EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM STATE EAS PLAN SEPTEMBER 2010". FCC. Archived from the original on December 9, 2017. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
11. ^ "Emergency Alert System Plan for the State of Maine, revised November 2017" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on March 26, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
12. ^ "Emergency Alert System Operational Plan December 2000". FCC. Archived from the original on March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
13. ^ "Massachusetts Emergency Alert System Operational Plan". FCC. Archived from the original on May 22, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
14. ^ "State of Vermont Emergency Alert System Plan" (PDF). vabnow.files.wordpress.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 2, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
15. ^ "State of Rhode Island Emergency Alert System (EAS) Plan, August 2017". Archived from the original on March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
16. ^ "Emergency Alert System (EAS) Plan for Connecticut, V1.3" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on March 2, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
17. ^ a b c "New York State Emergency Alert System EAS Plan" (PDF). nysbroadcasters.org. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 29, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
18. ^ "Delaware Emergency Alert Statewide Plan 2016". Archived from the original on November 23, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
19. ^ "EAS Summit and PEP stations | Radio & Television Business Report". February 24, 2014. Archived from the original on January 19, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
20. ^ "West Virginia Emergency Alert System Operational Plan". FCC. Archived from the original on March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
21. ^ "Rules for Activating the Emergency Alert System in Maryland for Broadcasters, Cable Operators, Emergency Managers and Others Concerned with Public Warning" (PDF). Maryland State Emergency Communications Committee. January 2006. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 29, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
22. ^ "SBE Chapter 37 – Prior Meetings Page – AM Revitalization – WFED 1500 AM Transmitter". Archived from the original on May 27, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
23. ^ "Commonwealth of Virginia Emergency Alert System Plan". FCC. Archived from the original on March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
24. ^ "North Carolina Emergency Alert System State Plan" (PDF). North Carolina State Emergency Communications Committee. August 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 30, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
25. ^ "EAS PLAN Jan 2004 rev 06 30 19.PDF" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on August 14, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
26. ^ "State of Georgia Emergency Alert System (EAS) Plan". May 1, 2015. Archived from the original on April 15, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
27. ^ a b c Florida Association of Broadcasters[permanent dead link]
28. ^ "Alabama EAS Plan" (PDF). al-ba.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 24, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
29. ^ a b c "Tennessee Statewide Emergency Alert System (EAS) Plan" (PDF). March 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 23, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
30. ^ a b c "Indiana State EAS Plan" (PDF). indianabroadcasters.org. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 16, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
31. ^ "Kentucky Emergency Alert System New State Plan — Preliminary Summary". FCC. Archived from the original on March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
32. ^ a b "State of Ohio Emergency Alert System (EAS) Plan". FCC. Archived from the original on October 22, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
33. ^ "Emergency Alert System (EAS) Plan for the State of Michigan". FCC. Archived from the original on May 30, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
34. ^ "State of Illinois Emergency Alert System State Plan" (PDF). ilba.org. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 18, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
35. ^ a b "Missouri State EAS Plan" (PDF). sbe55.org. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 26, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
36. ^ "State of Wisconsin Emergency Alert System State EAS Plan" (PDF). sbe24.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 20, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
37. ^ "Minnesota Emergency Alert System Statewide Plan" (PDF). dps.mn.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 23, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
38. ^ "Iowa Public Radio" (PDF). legis.iowa.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 3, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
39. ^ "State of Louisiana Emergency Alert System (EAS) Operational Plan" (PDF). broadcasters.org. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 2, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
40. ^ a b c d "Texas Emergency Alert System" (PDF). tab.org. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 17, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
41. ^ "Nebraska State Emergency Alert System Plan" (PDF). ne-eas.org. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
42. ^ "State Alert and Warning Plan" (PDF). ndba.org. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 24, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
43. ^ "South Dakota State Plan For The Emergency Alert System" (PDF). sdba.org. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 26, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
44. ^ "State of Montana 2016 Emergency Alert System (EAS) Plan" (PDF). des.mt.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 24, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
45. ^ "Wyoming State Plan for The Emergency Alert System". FCC. Archived from the original on March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
46. ^ "South Dakota State Plan For The Emergency Alert System" (PDF). sdba.org. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 26, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
47. ^ "State of Arizona Emergency Alert System Operational Plan". FCC. Archived from the original on March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
48. ^ "Utah State Emergency Alert System (EAS) Plan". img.ksl.com. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
49. ^ "Broadcasters and Wireless Providers". fema.gov. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
50. ^ a b c d "State of California Emergency Alert System Plan" (PDF). caloes.ca.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
51. ^ "State of Hawaii Emergency Alert System (EAS) Plan" (PDF). dod.hawaii.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 21, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
52. ^ sbe76[permanent dead link]
53. ^ "Participating National (PN) Monitoring Matrix". mil.wa.gov. Archived from the original on October 22, 2021.
54. ^ "State of Alaska Emergency Alert System Plan". FCC. Archived from the original on April 17, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
55. ^ a b "WLW PEP Station to Test New Studio Shelter". Radio World. October 22, 2018. Archived from the original on April 1, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
56. ^ a b "FEMA Upgrading WLW". Radio Ink. October 22, 2018. Archived from the original on July 30, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
57. ^ a b "In Hardening EAS Lynchpins, FEMA Puts Confidence In Radio". Insideradio.com. October 25, 2018. Archived from the original on July 29, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
58. ^ Merlin, Ross Z. (2004). "Communications Systems for Public Health Contingencies" (PDF). DHS/FEMA Wireless Program Management Team. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 25, 2008.
59. ^ a b c "United States Code of Federal Regulations – 47 CFR 11.61 – Tests of EAS procedures" (PDF). access.gpo.gov. July 26, 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 26, 2014. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
60. ^ "The Impact of IPAWS on Public Alerts and Warnings". www.govtech.com. January 17, 2011. Archived from the original on August 24, 2019. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
61. ^ a b "FCC Seeks to Improve Accessibility & Clarity of Emergency Alerts". Federal Communications Commission. December 15, 2021. Archived from the original on September 30, 2022. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
62. ^ a b c Winslow, George (September 29, 2022). "FCC Updates Emergency Alert Rules". TVTechnology. Archived from the original on September 30, 2022. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
63. ^ a b c Oxenford, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP-David D.; Tol, Jennifer; Frewer (February 10, 2012). "FCC revises emergency alert system rules; reminds participants of June 30, 2012 CAP compliance deadline". Lexology. Archived from the original on March 19, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
64. ^ a b "FEMA Adopts Digital Message Format for EAS CAP Standard, Triggering 180-Day Clock for Compliance". Broadcast Law Blog. September 30, 2010. Archived from the original on August 24, 2019. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
65. ^ a b George, Winslow (November 29, 2023). "FCC Delays Implementation of New Emergency Alert Rules for Some Broadcasters". TVTechnology. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
66. ^ "Electronic Code of Federal Regulations". National Archives. Archived from the original on May 29, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
67. ^ "Ohio Weatherman Fires Back at 'Bachelorette' Fans After Tornado Warning Interrupts Broadcast". The Hollywood Reporter. May 28, 2019. Archived from the original on October 14, 2019. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
68. ^ "State EAS Plans and Chairs". Federal Communications Commission. Archived from the original on April 16, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
69. ^ "The FCC is changing up the country's emergency alert system to prevent another Hawaii incident". The Verge. Archived from the original on July 13, 2018. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
70. ^ "FCC PROMOTES EMERGENCY ALERT RELIABILITY" (PDF). FCC. July 12, 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 6, 2018. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
71. ^ "FCC Press Release: "FCC Action Paves Way for First-Ever Presidential Alert to be Aired Across U.S. on Nation's Emergency Alert System"" (PDF). fcc.gov. FCC. February 3, 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2011.
72. ^ "FCC Third Report and Order: In the Matter of Review of the Emergency Alert System" (PDF). fcc.gov. FCC. February 3, 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 10, 2011.
73. ^ "FEMA, FCC Announce Nationwide Test Of The Emergency Alert System" (Press release). FEMA. June 9, 2011. Archived from the original on June 14, 2011.
74. ^ Clayton, Mark (November 9, 2011). "Emergency Alert System: Why US is doing first national test now". Christian Science Monitor. Archived from the original on December 14, 2011. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
75. ^ "Did the national Emergency Alert System mistakenly play Lady Gaga?". Christian Science Monitor. November 9, 2011. ISSN 0882-7729. Archived from the original on October 31, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
76. ^ Malone, Noreen (November 9, 2011). "Why Is the Emergency Broadcast System Playing Lady Gaga?". Intelligencer. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
77. ^ "September 28, 2016 Nationwide EAS Test". Federal Communications Commission. April 21, 2017. Archived from the original on June 8, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
78. ^ "The 2016 National EAS Test Will Be Different". Govtech. Archived from the original on July 18, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
79. ^ "Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test Planned for September 27 - FEMA.gov". www.fema.gov. Archived from the original on October 1, 2016. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
80. ^ "Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test Planned for September 28". Federal Communications Commission. September 26, 2016. Archived from the original on September 30, 2016. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
81. ^ "Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test Planned for September 27" (PDF). Federal Communications Commission. July 14, 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 16, 2017. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
82. ^ "Mark Your Calendars: Next EAS Test Date Affirmed". Radio & Television Business Report. July 23, 2018. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
83. ^ Stracqualursi, Veronica. "'Presidential Alert': Trump text slides to October 3". CNN. Archived from the original on September 18, 2018. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
84. ^ "Emergency alert test sounds off on mobile phones nationwide". Archived from the original on October 3, 2018. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
85. ^ Ashworth, Susan (May 29, 2019). "Next Nationwide Emergency Test Set for August 2019". TV TTechnology. Archived from the original on July 29, 2019. Retrieved July 29, 2019.
86. ^ "FEMA Sets August For 2019 National EAS Test With Focus On PEP Stations". Insideradio.com. May 24, 2019. Archived from the original on July 29, 2019. Retrieved July 29, 2019.
87. ^ "No National Test this Year for FEMA's Integrated Public Alert & Warning System". FEMA. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
88. ^ "FEMA and FCC Plan Nationwide Emergency Alert Test for Aug. 11 Test Messages Will be Sent to TVs and Radios Along with Select Cell Phones That Have Opted-in to Receive Test Messages". FEMA.gov. June 11, 2021. Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
89. ^ "FCC updates new Emergency Alert System rules to improve more message clarification". Radioinsight.com. October 2, 2022. Archived from the original on October 11, 2022. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
90. ^ "FEMA Says No National EAS Test is Planned for This Year". Insideradio.com. Archived from the original on May 2, 2022. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
91. ^ "FEMA and FCC Plan Nationwide Emergency Alert Test for Oct. 4, 2023". fema.gov. August 3, 2023. Archived from the original on August 7, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
92. ^ Balderston, Michael (November 18, 2020). "House Approves Bill Bringing EAS to Streaming". TVTechnology. Archived from the original on March 3, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
93. ^ a b c d Wattles, Jackie (March 8, 2019). "Should Netflix and Hulu give you emergency alerts?". CNN. Archived from the original on April 28, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
94. ^ a b "Senate Approves 'READI' Act To Inform Public In Emergencies". All Access. Archived from the original on April 28, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
95. ^ Ashworth, Susan (July 23, 2018). "Sens. Schatz, Thune Introduce READI Act to Improve EAS". TvTechnology. Archived from the original on April 28, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
96. ^ "New Law Would Put EAS Alerts On Repeat". Insideradio.com. December 18, 2018. Archived from the original on April 28, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
97. ^ McNerney, Jerry (November 18, 2020). "Text – H.R.6096 – 116th Congress (2019–2020): READI Act". www.congress.gov. Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
98. ^ "House Passes Emergency Alert-Focused 'READI' Act". Radio & Television Business Report. November 17, 2020. Archived from the original on November 30, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
99. ^ Stine, Randy J. (September 26, 2001). "Terrorism Attacks Cue EAS Debate". Radio World. IMAS Publishing (USA) Inc. Archived from the original on October 24, 2001.
100. ^ "When The Emergency Alert System Goes Wrong" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 23, 2023. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
101. ^ Pazinokas, Mark (February 2, 2005). "Connecticut Evacuation: False Alarm". Hartford Courant. Archived from the original on February 15, 2017. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
102. ^ "Public Reaction to the Erroneous Statewide Broadcast of February 1st, 2005" (PDF). George Washington University. Center for Survey Research and Analysis. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 14, 2010. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
103. ^ "False Alarm, Connecticut Not Being Evacuated". WestportNow.com. February 1, 2005. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved June 5, 2020. "State police said they received no calls related to the erroneous alert."
104. ^ "Emergency Alert System Activated By Mistake". cbs2chicago.com. Archived from the original on August 6, 2008.
105. ^ "Inadvertent Activation of the Illinois Emergency Alert System". FEMA. June 28, 2007. Archived from the original on July 17, 2007.
106. ^ "Glitch scrambles Oregon thunderstorm warning". The Herald. Everett, Washington. Associated Press. May 20, 2010. Archived from the original on July 12, 2010. Retrieved June 1, 2010.
107. ^ "Evacuation Alert for Suffolk County Mistakenly Given". NBC New York. Archived from the original on November 28, 2018. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
108. ^ "Officials: Automated system caused false alert for Hermine". Newsday. September 6, 2016. Archived from the original on January 29, 2020. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
109. ^ Hall, Gray (May 24, 2017). "False nuclear power plant warning worried NJ residents". 6ABC Action News. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
110. ^ Criss, Doug. "Guam radio stations freak out island with emergency alert". CNN. Archived from the original on September 21, 2017. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
111. ^ Haas, Benjamin (August 15, 2017). "Guam radio stations accidentally air emergency alert amid North Korea threat". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
112. ^ "Emergency officials mistakenly send out missile threat alert". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. January 13, 2018. Archived from the original on January 13, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
113. ^ "Hawaii missile alert: False alarm warns residents of "ballistic missile threat"". Archived from the original on January 13, 2018. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
114. ^ "Hawaii sends out missile alert by mistake". BBC News. 2018. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
115. ^ Darrah, Nicole; Joyce, Kathleen (January 13, 2018). "Hawaii's scary false missile threat: Worker's push of the 'wrong button' to blame". Fox News. Archived from the original on January 14, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
116. ^ Ladden-Hall, Dan (September 1, 2022). "Los Angeles Evacuation Order Broadcast on TV in Error". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on September 6, 2022. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
117. ^ "Evacuation notice broadcast countywide made 'in error'". Santa Clarita Valley Signal. September 1, 2022. Archived from the original on September 6, 2022. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
118. ^ Goodin, Dan (August 5, 2022). ""Huge flaw" threatens US emergency alert system, DHS researcher warns". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on August 6, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
119. ^ a b "Zombie hack blamed on easy passwords". chicagotribune.com. Reuters. Archived from the original on August 8, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
120. ^ a b Memmott, Mark (February 12, 2013). "'Zombie Alert' Also Aired In Michigan; Hacking Traced To Overseas Source". NPR.org. Archived from the original on August 8, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
121. ^ a b "Seven Years Later, Scores of EAS Systems sit Un-patched, Vulnerable". The Security Ledger. January 27, 2020. Archived from the original on January 29, 2020. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
122. ^ "Zombie apocalypse now? Michigan TV stations' Emergency Alert Systems hacked with notice of walking dead". Mlive.com. February 12, 2013. Archived from the original on February 14, 2013. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
123. ^ "WZZY Hacked, Broadcasts Zombie Warning in Indiana". Radio World. March 3, 2017. Archived from the original on August 8, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
124. ^ "Police say Mont. TV zombie hoax likely linked to others". USA Today. Archived from the original on August 8, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
125. ^ Hubbuch, Chris (February 13, 2013). "TV zombie-attack warning a false alarm". La Crosse Tribune. Archived from the original on August 8, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
126. ^ "Hackers take over Randolph County radio station's alert system, send out messages about fake zombie attack". Fox59.com. March 1, 2017. Archived from the original on March 8, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
127. ^ O'Keefe, PJ (March 3, 2017). "WZZY 98.3FM zombie outbreak: Hacked radio station reports zombie attack in Randolph County, Indiana". WCPO.com. Archived from the original on March 9, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
128. ^ "Wave cable meme hack affects 3,000 Jefferson County residents". Port Townsend Leader. February 26, 2020. Archived from the original on April 6, 2020. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
129. ^ Johnson, Graham (February 22, 2020). "Hackers target cable TV alert system and send false messages". KIRO. Archived from the original on June 8, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
130. ^ "Wave false alert remains mystery after 'residual' message airs again". Port Townsend Leader. March 11, 2020. Archived from the original on April 6, 2020. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
131. ^ "False TV alert over 'radiological hazard' concerns Washington emergency officials". KING5.com. February 21, 2020. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
132. ^ a b c Pedersen, Erik (August 16, 2019). "'Walking Dead', 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' & Others Hit With FCC Fines For "Misusing" Emergency Alert Tones". Deadline. Archived from the original on August 16, 2019. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
133. ^ "False alarm 'Olympus' movie ad draws $1.9M fine". The Big Story. Archived from the original on December 31, 2014.
134. ^ Welch, Chris (November 6, 2013). "FCC fines TBS $25,000 for simulating emergency alert tones in 'Conan' ad". The Verge. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved August 17, 2019.
135. ^ Brodkin, Jon (May 19, 2015). ""Multi-state cascade" of false emergency alerts nets $1 million fine". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on May 29, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
136. ^ Fybush, Scott (October 28, 2014). "NERW Extra: A Few Words About EAS". Fybush Media. Archived from the original on October 30, 2014. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
137. ^ Dixon, Drew (May 30, 2017). "Jacksonville's WTLV TV-12 owner fined for use of Emergency Alert tones in Jaguars promo". The Florida Times-Union. Archived from the original on June 6, 2017. Retrieved June 7, 2017.
138. ^ "In the Matter of TEGNA Inc., parent of Multimedia Holdings Corporation Licensee of Station WTLV, Jacksonville, Florida" (PDF) (Press release). Federal Communications Commission. May 30, 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 8, 2017. Retrieved June 7, 2017.
139. ^ Pedersen, Erik (September 9, 2019). "'Young Sheldon': FCC Proposes Six-Figure Fine For Misuse Of Emergency Alert Tone". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 27, 2021. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
140. ^ "CBS Fined $272,000 After FCC Concludes It Misused EAS Tones". Inside Radio. September 10, 2019. Archived from the original on October 18, 2020. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
141. ^ "FCC Proposes $20,000 Fine Against WNEW For Using EAS Tones". RadioInsight. April 7, 2020. Archived from the original on April 8, 2020. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
142. ^ Tom Butts (January 25, 2023). "FCC Proposes $504K Fine on Fox for EAS Violations". TVTechnology. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
143. ^ "FCC PROPOSES FINE AGAINST ESPN FOR IMPROPER TRANSMISSIONS OF EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM TONES" (PDF). FCC News. October 17, 2024. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
144. ^ Stimson, Leslie (June 3, 2013). "ABA Tells Members It's Okay to Air New WEA PSAs". TV Tech. Archived from the original on April 28, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
145. ^ "In the Matter of Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, Inc., FM Radio Station KWVE San Clemente, California: Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture Adopted: September 15, 2009 Released: September 17, 2009" (PDF). Federal Communications Commission. December 6, 2016. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
146. ^ "State Broadcast Associations Appeal KWVE EAS Fine to FCC". Radio. October 9, 2009. Archived from the original on June 2, 2011. Retrieved October 2, 2010.
147. ^ "FCC Dismisses KWVE EAS Fine". Radio Magazine. November 17, 2009. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved October 2, 2010.
148. ^ "New York Television Station Broadcasts Bizarre Warning Before Hoboken Train Crash". Snopes.com. October 3, 2016. Archived from the original on July 14, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
149. ^ "End-of-world prediction interrupts TV broadcasts in Orange County". Orange County Register. September 21, 2017. Archived from the original on September 29, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
150. ^ "End-of-world message on TV was just glitch from a test of the Emergency Alert System". Orange County Register. September 23, 2017. Archived from the original on September 30, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
151. ^ Bever, Lindsey (September 22, 2017). "'Extremely violent times will come!': Ominous emergency alert was just a TV test gone awry". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on September 30, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Emergency Alert System.

* Consumer facts page
* FCC notice regarding possible improvements

* v
* t
* e

Federal Communications Commission

* Brendan Carr (since 2017)
* Anna M. Gomez (since 2023)
* Olivia Trusty (since 2025)
* 2 seats vacant

Chairs|

* Eugene O. Sykes (1934–35)
* Anning Smith Prall (1935–37)
* Frank R. McNinch (1937–39)
* James Lawrence Fly (1939–44)
* E. K. Jett (1944)
* Paul A. Porter (1944–46)
* Charles R. Denny (1946–47)
* Paul A. Walker (1947)
* Wayne Coy (1947–52)
* Paul A. Walker (1952–53)
* Rosel H. Hyde (1953–54)
* George McConnaughey (1954–57)
* John C. Doerfer (1957–60)
* Frederick W. Ford (1960–61)
* Newton N. Minow (1961–63)
* E. William Henry (1963–66)
* Rosel H. Hyde (1966–69)
* Dean Burch (1969–74)
* Richard E. Wiley (1974–77)
* Charles D. Ferris (1977–81)
* Robert Lee (1981)
* Mark S. Fowler (1981–87)
* Dennis R. Patrick (1987–89)
* Alfred C. Sikes (1989–93)
* James Henry Quello (1993)
* Reed Hundt (1993–97)
* William Kennard (1997–2001)
* Michael Powell (2001–05)
* Kevin Martin (2005–09)
* Michael Copps (2009)
* Julius Genachowski (2009–13)
* Mignon Clyburn (2013)
* Tom Wheeler (2013–17)
* Ajit Pai (2017–21)
* Jessica Rosenworcel (2021–25)
* Brendan Carr (since 2025)

Statutory
authority
(Title 47 USC)|

* Communications Act of 1934
* Brinkley Act
* All-Channel Receiver Act (1962)
* Communications Satellite Act of 1962
* Public Broadcasting Act of 1967
* Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984
* Satellite Home Viewer Act (1988)
* Children's Television Act (1990)
* Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991
* Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992
* Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (1994)
* Telecommunications Act of 1996
* Communications Decency Act
* Section 230
* Child Online Protection Act (1998)
* Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act (1999)
* Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2005
* Digital Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005
* Junk Fax Prevention Act of 2005
* Telephone Records and Privacy Protection Act of 2006
* Short-term Analog Flash and Emergency Readiness Act (2008)
* Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009
* Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act (2010)
* Local Community Radio Act (2010)
* Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act of 2010

Regulations
and policies
(Title 47 CFR)|

* Title 47 CFR Part 15
* Title 47 CFR Part 68
* Title 47 CFR Part 97

| Broadcast
licensing
and facilities|

* 1978 Broadcast Policy Statement on minority ownership
* 2008 United States wireless spectrum auction
* Ancillary Terrestrial Component
* Antenna structure registration
* AWS-3 auction
* Broadcast call signs
* Broadcast flag
* Broadcast license
* Broadcast range
* Broadcasting duopoly
* Carriage dispute
* City of license
* Class A television service
* Clear-channel station
* Comparative hearing
* Dark and silent stations
* Dispersal of ownership
* Facility ID
* FM Non-Duplication Rule (1964–86)
* Frequency coordinator
* Local marketing agreement
* MVDDS
* dispute
* Program test authority
* Public file
* Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service
* Reference distance
* Rimshot broadcasting
* Significantly viewed signals permitted to be carried
* Special temporary authority
* United States National Radio Quiet Zone
* White spaces

|

Broadcasting
content and
programming|

* Actionable indecency
* Broadcasting watershed
* Emergency Alert System
* Equal-time rule
* Family Viewing Hour
* Fairness doctrine (1949–87)
* Financial Interest and Syndication Rules (1970–93)
* Fleeting expletive
* Government-access television
* Mayflower doctrine (1941–49)
* Must-carry
* Non-commercial educational station
* Personal attack rule
* Pervasiveness doctrine
* Prime Time Access Rule
* Public-access television
* Retransmission consent
* Seven dirty words
* Syndication exclusivity
* Zapple doctrine (1970–2014)

Telephone and
the Internet|

* Carterfone decision
* Common carrier
* Comparably efficient interconnection
* Competitive local exchange carrier
* Emergency telephone number
* Enhanced 911
* FCC Computer Inquiries
* Second Computer Inquiry
* FCC mark
* FCC registration program
* Feature group
* FCC Open Internet Order
* Incumbent local exchange carrier
* Lifeline program
* National Broadband Plan
* National Do Not Call Registry
* Personal Communications Service
* Basic Trading Areas
* Telecommunications Service Priority
* Priority level
* Total element long run incremental cost
* Traffic pumping
* Universal Licensing System
* Universal Service Fund
* E-Rate

Litigation|

| Supreme Court|

* FCC v. Sanders Brothers Radio Station (1940)
* National Broadcasting Co. v. United States (1943)
* United States v. Southwestern Cable Co. (1968)
* Red Lion Broadcasting Co. v. FCC (1969)
* FCC v. Pacifica Foundation (1978)
* CBS, Inc. v. FCC (1981)
* Sable Communications of California v. FCC (1989)
* Metro Broadcasting, Inc. v. FCC (1990)
* Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. v. FCC (1994)
* Verizon Communications Inc. v. FCC (2002)
* Nixon v. Missouri Municipal League (2004)
* National Cable & Telecommunications Ass'n v. Brand X Internet Services (2005)
* FCC v. Fox Television Stations, Inc. (2009)
* FCC v. AT&T Inc. (2011)
* FCC v. Fox Television Stations, Inc. (2012)
* FCC v. Prometheus Radio Project (2021)

|

Other
federal cases|

* Hush-A-Phone Corp. v. United States (1956)
* American Radio Relay League, Inc. v. FCC (1980)
* Schurz Communications, Inc. v. FCC (1992)
* Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod v. FCC (1998)
* SBC Communications, Inc. v. FCC (1998)
* Satellite Broadcasting & Communications Ass'n v. FCC (2001)
* United States Telecom Association v. FCC (2004)
* Comcast Corp. v. FCC (2010)
* Verizon Communications Inc. v. FCC (2014)
* Tennessee v. FCC (2016)
* Mozilla Corp. v. FCC (2019)
* Prometheus Radio Project v. FCC (2019)
* Consumers' Research v. FCC (2023)

Agency
publications|

* Report on Chain Broadcasting (1941)
* Blue Book (1946)
* FCC Record (1986–)

Advisory
committees|

* FCC Network Study Committee
* Federal-State Joint Conference on Advanced Telecommunications Services
* North American Numbering Council
* Spectrum Task Force
* Technical Advisory Council

Predecessor
agencies|

* Interstate Commerce Commission
* Mann–Elkins Act
* Radio Act of 1912
* Kingsbury Commitment
* Willis Graham Act
* Federal Radio Commission
* Radio Act of 1927
* Davis Amendment
* General Order 32
* General Order 40
* Grand Island FCC Monitoring Station

Related|

* AllVid
* Broadband.gov
* Broadcasting in the United States
* Radio
* FM broadcasting
* Television
* Cable television
* Digital television
* Digital television transition
* High-definition television
* Satellite television
* Communications in the United States
* "FCC Song"
* Federal Communications Bar Association
* History of the telephone in the United States
* Howard Stern Show fines
* Internet in the United States
* Media cross-ownership in the United States
* Modem tax
* National Exchange Carrier Association
* Net neutrality in the United States
* Open spectrum
* "PTV"
* RM-2493
* Security Control of Air Traffic and Air Navigation Aids
* Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy
* Telecommunications policy of the United States
* Telegraphy in the United States
* "Television and the Public Interest"
* Wireless Ship Act of 1910

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template