FCC/FEMA Set National EAS Test for Nov. 17

- Test to Reveal Cyber Rules Compliance

FEMA, in coordination with the FCC, will conduct a national EAS test on Nov. 17 at 2:20 p.m. Eastern Time, underscoring the urgency for stations to comply with the FCC’s new cybersecurity rules for EAS gear and broadcast chains which take effect Sept. 29.

TAB has compiled multiple resources for member stations to ensure compliance with the new cybersecurity rules. In addition, broadcast engineers Barry Mishkind and Kenneth Fine have developed the FREE BDR Password Generator to assist in generating the 15-character password required under the new FCC security requirements.  

National EAS Test Details
  
The FCC’s Public Notice announcing the test includes key details and deadlines for stations’ required reports, including a potential alternative date in case the test needs to be rescheduled:  

• All EAS Participants must submit their annual ETRS Form One for calendar year 2026 no later than Oct. 30.
• All EAS Participants must file ETRS Form Two within 48 hours of the Nov. 17 nationwide test. The deadline for Form Two filings is 2:20 pm ET on Nov. 19, or, if the test is conducted on the alternative date, 2:20 pm ET on Dec. 5.
• All EAS Participants must file ETRS Form Three to provide detailed post-test data within 45 days following the nationwide test, which will be on or before Jan. 4, 2027, or, if the test is conducted on the alternative date, on or before Jan. 18.

Attorney David Oxenford with Wilkinson Barker Knauer, a TAB Associate Member, provides further details and guidance HERE, reiterating key steps that the FCC recommends stations take to prepare for the test .

Questions? Contact Oscar Rodriguez or call (512) 322-9944.