Changes Coming to Texas EAS, Broadcasters Make Recommendations for EAS’ Future

posted on 7.22.2024

TAB is working to upgrade the Texas State EAS Plan to incorporate FCC-sought changes.

These include potential monitoring assignments for certain Texas EAS districts as well as creation of alternative monitoring sources for stations in Texas districts to use.

Background

The Texas State EAS Plan was created by Texas broadcasters over the course of 1996 and implemented on Jan. 1, 1997.

It created 25 EAS districts in Texas, each with a Local Primary 1 and 2 stations to monitor, and in the case of two EAS districts, a Local Primary Spanish station as well.

It also established the Texas State Networks as an alternative monitoring source for the required monthly test (RMT).

The system utilizes a daisy-chain system of relay of test messages each month which could also be used in the event of a state or national message.

The National Weather Service and local emergency managers are the primary users of EAS to relay emergency information.

Local law enforcement and the State of Texas have also used EAS to relay AMBER alerts.

In 1998, Dallas-Fort Worth area broadcasters came up with the idea of using EAS to provide stations and their audiences with timely information about local child abductions after the death of nine-year-old Amber Hagerman in 1996.

Since its creation, the Texas State EAS Plan has been amended several times over the years.

For example, a few of the original LP-1 and LP-2 stations have changed as have EAS encoders-decoders and their software.

FEMA's national, Internet-based system for local alerting, the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS), has been added.

Additionally, two national primary entry point stations, KLBJ Austin and KROD El Paso have been added to the original Texas PEP stations, WBAP Fort Worth and KTRH Houston.

Coming Changes

An updated version of the Texas State EAS Plan was submitted to the FCC several years ago for approval.

As part of its review process, the FCC has requested changes to EAS monitoring sources.

For example, the FCC is seeking alternative monitoring sources for a national emergency message (EAN).

Potential sources include NPR and Premier Radio Network affiliate radio stations.

Per the FCC's request, TAB has contacted Texas NPR affiliates this spring to encourage those stations so use the NPR "squawk" channel as an ENDEC monitoring source.

Other stations in an EAS district would then be able to monitor that NPR affiliate station in an EAS district as an alternative source for a national emergency message (EAN).

Additionally, the commission will no longer allow an EAS district to be served by an LP-1 and LP-2 stations that are housed under the same roof.

The concern is that some local event may cause both stations to go down leaving monitoring stations without an option.

TAB has been working over the summer to arrange for a different LP-2 station in about eight of the 25 Texas EAS districts.

That work is ongoing.

Broadcasters Seek EAS Changes at the FCC

You may have recently read an Inside Radio report about changes broadcasters are seeking from the FCC on EAS.

Per the report, an NAB-led group of broadcasters is urging "the FCC to move forward on a proposal submitted in December 2022 that would allow EAS participants to use software-based EAS encoder/decoder technology in place of a physical hardware equipment box."

Broadcasters say the move to a software-based EAS would improve the system's resiliency, readiness, and security.

Additionally, it would eliminate the current problem of hardware-caused EAS downtime.

FEMA, according to the NAB, has "expressed a clear endorsement" of the idea.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel recently circulated draft final rules that, if adopted by the FCC commissioners, would require broadcasters and cable providers, to notify the FCC of EAS equipment defects within 24 hours of discovery.

"EAS participants would also be required to implement contingency plans for delivering EAS alerts in the event of equipment malfunctions, and that they adopt and regularly update cybersecurity security measures to secure their systems to protect EAS from hackers and other online intruders," said David Oxenford, an attorney with TAB Associate member Wilkinson Barker Knauer.

FCC Vote on New EAS Code

FCC commissioners are scheduled for an Aug. 7 vote on a draft Report and Order, which would create a new EAS event code for an Ashanti Alert.

Like an AMBER alert, the new code could be used to relay emergency information concerning a missing or abducted individual aged 17 or older from Native-American tribal lands.

Questions? Contact TAB's Michael Schneider or call (512) 322-9944.

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