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EAS Overview

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The Emergency Alert System provides quick, actionable warnings to the general public via Radio and Television broadcast stations as well as cable companies.   Federal law requires broadcasters and cable companies to have the necessary equipment installed for delivering presidential (national) alerts.  Fortunately, we have never had a need for such an alert. 

As a public service, however, broadcasters and cable companies routinely and voluntarily provide the public with other warnings such as Amber Alerts and NOAA Weather warnings.  These warnings can save lives and property.  Within a matter of minutes, emergency management personnel (state and local) as well as NOAA Weather can use EAS to notify thousands of Idaho Citizens of impending danger or abducted children.

Read more: EAS Overview

Information for Emergency Management

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Tthe Emergency alert System’s purpose is to provide emergency management a means to get ACTIONABLE information to the general public QUICKLY about public safety issues.  With a single phone call (typically to the State Communications Center), an alert can be distributed within minutes to all members of the public residing in the affecting area who are watching TV or listening to radio, as well as many cell phone users..

It is important to realize that EAS is NOT a substitute for other means of communicating to the public.  EAS is meant to provide a QUICK initial warning to the public.  The technology limits the voice message to approximately 90 seconds, so clearly EAS can’t be used for providing in depth coverage.  For that, your Media Relations departments can contact the news media via traditional means for expanded coverage.

Read more: Information for Emergency Management

EAS and the General Public

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Information for the general public:
 
 
We all know this sound and this image.  Even in today’s HD / Plasma / Digital world, it's a signal that even though it's never been used for a real local, region or national threat...we still stop and tune in for a moment.

Read more: EAS and the General Public

CAP Equipment Configuration

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IPAWS (FEMA):  As this is a national requirement, all EAS equipment vendors should provide instructions on how to configure their equipment to monitor IPAWS.  We suggest you consult their manual, web site, and/or tech support staff for instructions as each vendor implements CAP differently with sometimes significantly different nomenclature.

Read more: CAP Equipment Configuration

About Your SECC & LECC

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The State Emergency Communications Committee currently is comprised of the following members (substitute an @ for the 'at' in email addresses):
 
•David SECC Chair and broadcast representative
Dave.Turnmire 'at' idahoptv.org
208-282-3696 
 
•[vacant]
SECC Vice Chair and cable industry representative
 

Other Useful Links

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Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) by cellular industry organization
 
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