FEMA adds Premiere Networks as primary entry point for national EAS messages

Adding another redundancy to its system of distributing national emergency alerts, FEMA on May 3 announced Premiere Networks as the latest alternative for stations to monitor, though it does not replace the required monitoring assignments required under the State EAS Plan.

“We count on the broadcasting industry to alert and warn the public,” said FEMA assistant administrator Damon Penn.

Premiere Networks is the latest of additional options for stations that may not be able to receive a message through the traditional broadcast-based daisy chain. FEMA already has been working with NPR, Sirius XM and the Hawaii Emergency Operations Center.

Texas stations that have difficulty receiving their assigned monitoring station should contact TAB President Oscar Rodriguez for information on securing a waiver under the current State EAS Plan. FCC approval of the revised plan, submitted last August, is still pending.

The Premiere system is operational, with FEMA PEP equipment installed at the network’s uplink location in Louisiana and their standby uplink in Texas.

Complete instructions for establishing a connection from the Premiere XDS satellite receiver to a monitor input on EAS devices are available here.

Stations that do connect to Premiere are asked to advise FEMA by an e-mail to IPAWS@fema.dhs.gov.  Such notification is voluntary and has no bearing on regulations or enforcement.

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