• Television Broadcast, Monday, January 18, 2010 11:31 PM

Federal officials are planning the first nationwide test of the broadcast Emergency Alert System. FCC rules now provide for voluntary testing at the state and the local level, but not nationally. The FCC has issued a Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to change the rules in order to conduct national testing at least once a year.

The FCC additionally proposes requiring more detailed documentation from participating TV, radio and cable operations. The agency is also asking for feedback on the equipment used to retransmit EAS codes, which differ depending on the manufacturer.The United States is divided into 550 local EAS areas, each with at least two Local Primaries that must monitor two sources for presidential alerts. During a test in 2007, it was discovered not all equipment did not pass alert standards.

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