ALABAMA EAS PLAN

II. NATIONAL, STATE, AND LOCAL EAS: PARTICIPATION AND PRIORITIES

A. National EAS Participation

All broadcasters and cable operators are required to participate in the National-level EAS. "PN" (Participating National) stations and all cable operators would carry the Presidential message, "NN" (Non-Participating National) stations would make an announcement and sign off.


In addition, all broadcasters and cable operators must transmit a Required Weekly EAS Test (RWT), and once a month, must re-transmit the Required Monthly Test (RMT) within 15 minutes of receiving it on their EAS Decoder. These actions are required of all broadcasters and cable operators, regardless of their "PN" or "NN" EAS status.


B. State/Local EAS Participation

Participation in the State and/or Local Area EAS is voluntary for all broadcasters and cable operators. However, any stations/cable operators electing to participate in the State and/or Local Area EAS must then follow the procedures found in this Plan. Note: Even though they elect not to carry National EAS Alerts, stations designated "NN" (Non Participating National) may participate in the State and/or Local Area EAS without any prior FCC approval.


C. Conditions of EAS Participation

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 from exercising his independent discretion and responsibility in any given situation. Broadcast stations and cable systems originating EAS emergency communications shall be deemed to have conferred rebroadcast authority. The concept of management of each broadcast station and cable system to exercise discretion regarding the broadcast of emergency information and instructions to the general public is provided by the FCC Rules and Regulations.



D. EAS Priorities

Stations/cable operators are reminded that the EAS Priorities as set forth in the FCC Rules are as follows:
1. National EAS Messages
2. Local Area EAS Messages
3. State EAS Messages
4. Messages from the National Information Center (NIC)
[These are follow-up messages after a National EAS Activation.]

Move on to Alabama EAS State Plan; SECTION III
Return to Alabama EAS State Plan; TABLE OF CONTENTS
Return to SBE EAS COMMITTEE REPORT Menu Page