Alert and Warning

April 6, 2004

2Richard S. Eligan, Jr. April 6, 2004

Alert and Warning Overview

Missions

System Description

Testing

Issues

Next Steps

3Richard S. Eligan, Jr. April 6, 2004

Missions

EAS Provides a national-level contingency telecommunications

system to allow the President to speak to the American people during periods of extreme national emergency

Since 1976, the National Weather Service has been using the EAS at the local level to warn communities of impending severe weather

NAWAS A private telephone system used to convey warnings to

Federal, State, and local governments, as well as the military and civilian population

4Richard S. Eligan, Jr. April 6, 2004

White House Communications Agency

FEMA FOC/FAOC

President

Public

PEP Stations (34)

Broadcast Stations

NWS

State and Local Officials

White House Communications Agency

FEMA FOC/FAOC

President

Public

PEP Stations (34)

Broadcast Stations

NWS

State and Local Officials

White House Communications Agency

FEMA FOC/FAOC

President

Public

PEP Stations (34)PEP Stations (34)PEP Stations (34)

Broadcast StationsBroadcast StationsBroadcast StationsBroadcast Stations

NWS

State and Local Officials

EAS Operating Plan

National Level

Presidential emergency audio message is sent to commercial radio and TV stations for broadcast to the public

5Richard S. Eligan, Jr. April 6, 2004

System Description

34 Primary Entry Point (PEP) radio stations

FOC/FAOC use dedicated landlines to PEPs

HF backup All radio, TV, cable and satellite stations have

ENDECs

95% radio coverage of the CONUS and Hawaii

6Richard S. Eligan, Jr. April 6, 2004

Testing

FEMA conducts weekly and monthly tests

Test messages do not go the public (just PEPs)

7Richard S. Eligan, Jr. April 6, 2004

Issues

How to incorporate new digital technologies?

How to improve survivability and performance?

8Richard S. Eligan, Jr. April 6, 2004

Next Steps

EAS enhancement study

Pilot project for digital EAS in the NCR

Pilot project for reverse 911 alerting

Assist State EAS OPLANs development

Train local officials to use EAS

Continue public education on the EAS