Wireless RERC Influences EAS Final Rules

01.10.2012 – The Wireless RERC was cited seventeen times in the FCC’s Fifth Report and Order (R&O) "In the Matter of Review of the Emergency Alert System (EAS)" [EB Docket No. 04-296]. The R&O revises and implements rules contained in Part 11 of the EAS rules regarding how Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) messages are processed by EAS participants. The Wireless RERC comments addressed the accessibility of the EAS and were quoted extensively concerning the FCC’s requirements of enhanced CAP text. \

It is important to note that RERC’s comments had a part in the FCC reversing its position concerning the presentation of a CAP message’s enhanced text. Initially, the FCC did not require the presentation of the enhanced CAP text but as explained in paragraph 73 of the R&O, EAS participants must now provide the text if the message initiator includes the text in a CAP message. Enhanced CAP text is important in order to provide additional description for persons with hearing limitations. The Wireless RERC was also cited in the FCC’s decision to retain the 8 second EAS two tone Attention Signal. The RERC comments stated that the proposed three bursts of digital signal is both too short and not loud enough for hearing impaired people, and that the public has been familiar with the 8 second Attention Signal since 1975. FCC thus ordered to retain the use of the 8 second Attention Signal as an audio notice of EAS alerts. Additional comments by the Wireless RERC recommended that state plans to alert the public in an emergency include explicit instructions to notify individuals with disabilities as well as periodic updates for these instructions. The FCC stated that this recommendation was not included in the scope of this rulemaking, and no action could be taken on this measure until the data from the November 9th Nationwide EAS Test had been reviewed.

[Source: FCC]

Additional Information:

5th Report and Order [EB Docket No. 04-296]

[http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/index.do?document=311900]

Wireless RERC Comments

[http://www.wirelessrerc.org/publications/fcc-filings/FCC%2004-296_3rd%20NPRM_2011-07-19.pdf]