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    EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM (EAS)

    PROCEDURES
    THE EAST CENTRAL MICHIGAN EAS LOCAL AREA

    FINAL DRAFT COPY

    10 December 1996

    Updated from 08 December 1996 edition
    Pending State Committee Approval

    THE EAST CENTRAL MICHIGAN EAS LOCAL AREA INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES:

    I. INTRODUCTION

    This plan was prepared by the EAST CENTRAL MICHIGAN EAS Local Area Emergency Communications Committee and the broadcast and cable media(see Annex F). It is used to disseminate emergency information and warning to the general public in the East Central Michigan EAS Local Areas or any portion thereof within the broadcast coverage and cable system service areas at the request of designated local, State and Federal officials. This EAS Local Area plan may be activated on a day-to-day basis in response to emergencies such as: tornadoes, power outages, floods, civil disorders, nuclear power plant accidents, toxic leaks or any occurrence which poses a danger to life or property. Acceptance of/or participation in this plan shall not be deemed as a relinquishment of program control, and shall not be deemed to prohibit a broadcast licensee or cable operator from exercising his independent discretion and responsibility in any given situation. Broadcast stations and cable systems need to exercise discretion regarding the transmission of emergency information and instructions to the general public which is provided by the FCC Rules and Regulations.

    II. AUTHORITY

    Title 47 W.S.C. 151, 154 (i) and (o), 303 (r), 524 (g) and 606; and 47 C.F.R. Part 11, FCC Rules and Regulations, Emergency Alert System (EAS).

    III. KEY EAS SOURCES

    LOCAL PRIMARY SOURCE (LP-1):
    WHNN 96.1 MHz
    LOCATION:
    Bay City, MI
    EAS EMERGENCY CODES (LP-1]:
    • RMT
    • RWT
    • TOR
    • SVR
    • FFW
    • BZW
    • EVI
    • CEM
    • DMO
    • ADR
    EAS MONITORING ASSIGNMENTS:
    • [SR] WKAR-FM 90.500 MHz
    • [LP-2] WIOG-FM 102.5 MHz
    • [NWS] KIH-29 162.475 MHZ
    CONTACT:
    TELEPHONE:
    [989]-776-2100
    UNLISTED TELEPHONE:
    FAX LINE:
    HOURS OF OPERATION:
    24 Hours
    COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES:
    100kW 311m
    LOCAL PRIMARY SOURCE (LP-2):
    WIOG 102.5 MHz
    LOCATION:
    Saginaw, MI
    EAS EMERGENCY CODES (LP-2]:
    EAS MONITORING ASSIGNMENTS:
    CONTACT:
    TELEPHONE:
    [989] 776-2100
    UNLISTED TELEPHONE:
    FAX LINE:
    HOURS OF OPERATION:
    24 Hours
    COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES:
    86kW 244m

    IV. AUTHENTICATION

    (See Annex B)

    To authenticate local EAS messages the following procedure will be followed. The LP-1 or LP-2 station will fill out the EAS Worksheet. After filling out the worksheet the code number will be given by the agency requesting the alert. DO NOT AIR THE AUTHENTICATOR NUMBER. The authenticator numbers and Worksheets will be located in the LP1/LP2 handbook at each station. NOTE: DO NOT AIR THE AUTHENTICATOR NUMBER

    Note: National Weather Service (NWS) warnings received via NOAA Weather Radio, NOAA Weather Wire or AP, Reuters and UPI wire services do not need authentication. NWS sources can be monitored optionally after the two assigned LP sources (LP-1, LP-2, etc.).

    V. IMPLEMENTATION

    1. Request activation of the EAS facilities through the LP-1 (or LP-2 if the LP-1 cannot be contacted) via phone or other available communications facilities. Note: When severe weather warnings are issued by the NWS, the NWS can notify the LP-1 and or LP-2 directly.

    2. Designated officials use the following format when contacting the key EAS sources:

      "This is (Name/Title) of (Organization). I request that the Emergency Alert System be activated for the EAST CENTRAL MICHIGAN Local Area because of (Description of emergency)." This is message (authenticator number).

      Use Authentication as noted in paragraph IV above.

    3. Upon authentication, designated officials and EAS source personnel determine transmission details (i.e., live or recorded, immediate or delayed). Officials should provide emergency program material including a description of the emergency, actions being taken by local government, and instructions to the public. (See Annex H)

    4. Keep line of communication open if necessary.

    5. For a unique emergency not involving the entire local areas, local authorities may request activation of the EAS through the broadcast station and cable system serving only the affected area.

  • Procedures for Broadcast and Cable System Personnel

    1. Upon receipt of a request to activate the local EAS from appropriate authority (verify authenticity via method described in IV above and fill in worksheet in Annex H), the LP-1 (or alternate LP-2) may proceed as follows:
      • Broadcast the following announcement:

        "WE INTERRUPT THIS PROGRAM BECAUSE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY. IMPORTANT INFORMATION WILL FOLLOW."

      • Transmit the EAS header codes and Attention Signal.

      • Transmit the following announcement and material:

        "WE INTERRUPT THIS PROGRAM TO ACTIVATE THE EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM FOR THE EAST CENTRAL MICHIGAN LOCAL AREA BECAUSE OF A___________LOCAL EMERGENCY. IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS WILL FOLLOW."

        *** Follow with emergency program ***

      • To terminate the EAS message (immediately or later), make the following announcement:

        "THIS CONCLUDES EAS PROGRAMMING. ALL BROADCAST STATIONS AND CABLE SYSTEMS MAY NOW RESUME NORMAL OPERATION."

      • Transmit the EAS End of Message (EOM) code.

        If the LP-1 and or LP-2 stations experience a long term outage the NWS is to be notified and emergency messages are to be relayed for transmission by NWS weather radio. NWS will be the back up to either LP’s only if an extended outage occurs.

        Important Note: For State and local emergencies, broadcasters and cable operators have the option of transmitting only the EAS header and EOM header and EOM codes without the Attention Signal and emergency message. This is acceptable so the EAS coded messages can be quickly relayed through areas unaffected by the emergency.

    2. All other broadcast stations and cable systems are monitoring key sources via EAS monitor receiver/decoders and will be alerted by the header codes and attention signal. Each station and cable system upon receipt of the signal will, at the discretion of management, perform the same procedures as in step 1 above by transmitting the emergency message from the LP-1,LP-2 or NWS weather radio.

    3. To avoid unnecessary escalation of public confusion, all stations and cable systems must be cautious in providing news and information pertaining to the emergency. All messages must be based on definite and confirmed facts. The public must not be left to decide what is or is not fact.

    4. Upon completion of the above transmission procedures, resume normal programming. Appropriate notations should be made in the station and cable system records. A very brief summary may be sent to the FCC for information purposes only (FCC form 201).

    VI. TESTS

    Tests of these EAS procedures shall be conducted on a random or scheduled basis from a point which would originate the common emergency message. Unless a scheduled State test is received from the State Primary, the Local Primary will originate the Required Monthly Test (RMT). LP-1 and LP-2 stations will receive a schedule of tests to be performed by the East Central Michigan EAS committee. Required weekly tests (RWT) are to be random unscheduled tests. These tests can run any time during the broadcast day. During weeks where (RMT)’s are received and relayed (RWT)’s are not required to be sent.

    VII. MEETINGS

    The East Central Michigan EAS committee will meet at least once a year. This meeting will be called by the chairman and proper notice will be given.

    VII. Annexes A-H

    Updated December 29th, 2001