First FCC EAS nationwide test deadline is Aug. 28

posted on 8.21.2017

While FEMA’s nationwide test of EAS is more than a month away, the first of several important FCC dates related to it occurs next week.

Aug. 28 is the last day to file EAS Test Reporting System (ETRS) Form 1 with the FCC.

The process should be easier than it was last year, the first year stations used ETRS.

TAB Associate Member law firm Fletcher Heald and Hildreth has a good background article on what’s involved in filing Form 1 at  CommLawBlog.com

Filers may also contact FCC staff for assistance in completing ETRS Form One at ETRS@fcc.gov.

Other key dates related to the test are:

Sept. 27 - Nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) at 1:20 PM CDT
Sept. 27 - Stations must file ETRS Form 2 after the EAS test concludes and before 10:59 PM CDT. This is the so-called “day of test” report.
Nov. 13 - Stations must file ETRS Form 3 on or before this date.  It requires more detailed information than Form 2.  

By now, stations should have already taken care of another detail related to the test, downloading the new FCC EAS Handbook and locating it at normal duty positions or EAS equipment locations. 

Staff assigned to EAS functions at a station should review the EAS Handbook for the actions they must take upon receipt of the test alert as well as tailoring any actions as necessary that are specific to that type of station.

Stations should also take the time to ensure that EAS equipment operates in compliance with FCC rules, such as being capable of receiving and processing the national periodic test code (NPT) and the “six zeroes” national location code or upgrading EAS equipment software and firmware to the most recent version.

The FCC says more information regarding the nationwide EAS test is available from Austin Randazzo, Attorney Advisor, Policy and Licensing Division, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, at (202) 418-1462 or austin.randazzo@fcc.gov, or Gregory Cooke, Deputy Chief, Policy and Licensing Division, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, at (202) 418-2351 or gregory.cooke@fcc.gov.

Questions?  Contact TAB's Michael Schneider or call (512) 322-9944.

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