47 C.F.R. Subpart C—Organization
Title 47 - Telecommunication
Link to an amendment published at 70 FR 71034, Nov. 25, 2005. (a) All broadcast stations and cable systems and wireless cable systems specified in §11.11 are categorized as Participating National (PN) sources unless authorized by the FCC to be a Non-Participating (NN) sources. (b) A broadcast station and cable system and wireless cable system may submit a written request to the FCC asking to be a Non-Participating National (NN) source. The FCC may then issue a Non-participating National Authorization letter. NN sources must go off the air during a national EAS activation after transmitting specified information. (1) A station or system that is a Non-participating National (NN) source under §11.18(f) that wants to become a Participating National (PN) source in the national level EAS must submit a written request to the FCC. (2) NN sources may voluntarily participate in the State and Local Area EAS. Participation is at the discretion of broadcast station and cable system and wireless cable system management and should comply with State and Local Area EAS Plans. (c) All sources, including NN, must have immediate access to an Operating Handbook. They should contact the FCC to ensure that they are on the FCC EAS mailing list. [63 FR 29664, June 1, 1998, as amended at 65 FR 21658, Apr. 24, 2000]
Link to an amendment published at 70 FR 71034, Nov. 25, 2005. (a) During activation of the National level EAS, communications common carriers which have facilities available in place may, without charge, connect: (1) An originating source from the nearest service area to a selected Test Center and then to the radio and television broadcast networks, and cable networks and program suppliers for the duration of the emergency, provided an Emergency Action Notification is issued by the White House and the originating source has a local channel from the originating point to the nearest service area. (2) An independent broadcast station to the radio and television broadcast networks, and cable networks and program suppliers provided the station has in service a local channel from the station's studio or transmitter directly to the broadcast source. (b) Upon receipt of the Emergency Action Termination, the common carriers shall disconnect the originating source and the participating independent stations and restore the networks and program suppliers to their original configurations. (c) During a National level EAS Test, common carriers which have facilities in place may, without charge, connect an originating source from the nearest exchange to a selected Test Center and then to any participating radio networks, television networks and cable networks and program suppliers. Independent stations will not be connected during the test unless authorized by the FCC. Upon test termination, participants shall be restored to their original configurations. (d) A common carrier rendering free service shall file with the FCC, on or before July 31st and January 31st of each year, reports covering the six months ending on June 30th and December 31st respectively. These reports shall state what free service was rendered under this rule and the charges in dollars which would have accrued to the carrier for this service if charges had been collected at the published tariff rates if such carriers are required to file tariffs. [59 FR 67092, Dec. 28, 1994, as amended at 67 FR 18510, Apr. 16, 2002] Entities that wish to voluntarily participate in the national level EAS may submit a written request to the Director, Office of Homeland Security, Enforcement Bureau. [69 FR 30234, May 27, 2004]
Link to an amendment published at 70 FR 71034, Nov. 25, 2005. (a) A national activation of the EAS for a Presidential message with the Event code EAN as specified in §11.31 must take priority over any other message and preempt it if it is in progress. (b) EAS participants should transmit other EAS messages in the following order: first, Local Area Messages; second, State Messages; and third, National Information Center (NIC) Messages. (c) Key EAS sources (NP, LP, SP and SR) and Participating National (PN) sources that remain on the air during a National emergency must carry Presidential Messages “live” at the time of transmission or immediately upon receipt. Activation of the National level EAS must preempt State and Local Area EAS operation. (d) During a national emergency, the radio and television broadcast network program distribution facilities must be reserved exclusively for distribution of Presidential Messages. NIC messages received from national networks which are not broadcast at the time of original transmission must be recorded locally by LP sources for transmission at the earliest opportunity consistent with the message priorities in paragraph (b) of this section. No person may transmit or cause to transmit the EAS codes or Attention Signal, or a recording or simulation thereof, in any circumstance other than in an actual National, State or Local Area emergency or authorized test of the EAS. Broadcast station licensees should also refer to §73.1217 of this chapter.
Link to an amendment published at 70 FR 71034, Nov. 25, 2005. Broadcast stations, cable systems and wireless cable systems may use Public Service Announcements or obtain commercial sponsors for announcements, infomercials, or programs explaining the EAS to the public. Such announcements and programs may not be a part of alerts or tests, and may not simulate or attempt to copy alert tones or codes. [59 FR 67092, Dec. 28, 1994, as amended at 63 FR 29664, June 1, 1998]
Link to an amendment published at 70 FR 71034, Nov. 25, 2005. (a) Broadcast stations may additionally transmit EAS messages through other communications means than the main audio channel. For example, on a voluntary basis, FM stations may use subcarriers to transmit the EAS codes including 57 kHz using the RBDS standard produced by the National Radio Systems Committee (NRSC) and television stations may use subsidiary communications services. (b) Other technologies and public service providers, such as DBS, low earth orbiting satellites, etc., that wish to participate in the EAS may contact the FCC's Office of Homeland Security, Enforcement Bureau, or their State Emergency Communications Committee for information and guidance. [60 FR 56000, Nov. 6, 1995, as amended at 65 FR 21658, Apr. 24, 2000; 69 FR 30234, May 27, 2004]
Title 47: Telecommunication
PART 11—EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM (EAS)
Subpart C—Organization
§ 11.41 Participation in EAS.
§ 11.42 Participation by communications common carriers.
§ 11.43 National level participation.
§ 11.44 EAS message priorities.
§ 11.45 Prohibition of false or deceptive EAS transmissions.
§ 11.46 EAS public service announcements.
§ 11.47 Optional use of other communications methods and systems.
