November 9 Nationwide EAS Test: Mandatory Test Reporting

October 28, 2011

The first-ever nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) will take place on November 9, 2011 at approximately 2 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.  Broadcasters are required to participate in this test and to provide information about their participation to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) no later than December 27, 2011.

The FCC has launched a special website, available here, dealing with the November 9 test.  A special EAS Test Handbook (which should replace your normal EAS Handbook for purposes of the nationwide test), texts of informational PSAs about the test, an FAQ and other resources related to the test are available at that site.

Three separate online forms are (or will be) available on the FCC's special website that participants may use to satisfy their reporting requirements in connection with the nationwide test.  The FCC is encouraging participants to use these forms and submit them online according to the dates described below:

• Form 1 requires broadcasters to provide certain basic "background" information, including their legal name (i.e., licensee name), FRN number, transmitter location, EAS designation, EAS monitoring assignment, EAS equipment type, contact information for the person filling out the form, and information for the emergency EAS contact person at the station.  The FCC is requesting that participants submit Form 1 prior toNovember 9, 2011.  Form 1 can be filed online here.   
• Form 2 will require broadcasters to provide information about whether they received the EAS Test alert code and whether they were able to rebroadcast it successfully.  It will be available here beginning November 9.  The FCC is requesting that participants submit Form 2 on November 9.
• Form 3 will ask broadcasters to submit detailed information regarding its receipt and rebroadcast of the alert code, including an explanation of any complications in receiving or propagating the code.  The form will also ask for details including what time the code was received, the time of retransmission of the code, and the source from which the code was received.  Form 3 will be available here on November 9.  It is due on or before December 27, 2011. 

Alternatively, participants may submit test result data in paper form to the FCC.  Those opting for paper filing must mark the top of each page of their submissions with the legend "Confidential - Not for Public Inspection."

Reporting of test result data, via the three online forms or a paper filing, is mandatory for all participants and must be completed by December 27, 2011.