EAS Update: No National Test, Form One Still Due Oct. 3

- FCC Eyes "Modernizing" Emergency Alerting

August has kicked off with a number of developments on the Emergency Alert System (EAS) front, both at the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Last week the FCC noted that FEMA will not be conducting a nationwide EAS test in 2025. The last nationwide EAS test took place in 2023.

The FCC made the announcement in the form of a Public Notice reminding broadcasters of their obligation to annually update EAS identifying information in the FCC's EAS Test Reporting System (ETRS).

ETRS Form One Due Friday, Oct. 3.

Despite the absence of a national test, the FCC still requires the filing of Form One. The required information includes identifying and background information such as EAS designation, EAS monitoring assignments, facility location, equipment type, contact information, and other relevant data.

Broadcasters may begin filing now and TAB encourages stations to do so. FCC filing pages have crashed in the past under the strain of accommodating a flurry of last-minute filers. The FCC also urges stations to review Form One as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for possible corrections. The FCC allows stations 30 days after Form One submission to submit any updates or corrections to their filing. TAB has some ETRS Form One filing tips and help information below.

Which Stations Must File ETRS Form One?

The FCC said all EAS Participants, including Low Power FM stations (LPFM), Class D non-commercial educational FM stations, program originating FM booster stations, and EAS Participants that are silent pursuant to a grant of Special Temporary Authority-are required to register and file in ETRS.

Scott Flick, Lauren Lynch Flick and Elizabeth Craig, attorneys with TAB's FCC legal counsel Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman recently wrote about filing ETRS Form One later this fall noting there are certain types of stations that are exempt from the Form One filing requirement.

These include:

• TV translator stations
• FM translator or booster stations that only rebroadcast the programming of a local radio station
• Stations that operate as satellites or repeaters of a hub station (or of a common studio or control point if there is no hub station) which rebroadcast 100% of the programming of that hub station, common studio, or control point. The hub station, common studio, or control point will still need to file its own Form One, however.

Accessing the FCC Website's ETRS Page

Filers can access the FCC's ETRS page at https://www.fcc.gov/general/eas-test-reporting-system.
Stations must use their registered FCC Username (Username) that is associated with the FCC Registration Numbers (FRNs) for which they will file. Filers that have already created a Username for use with another FCC system may access the ETRS with that Username.

Filers that do not remember the password that corresponds with their Username may reset it at https://apps2.fcc.gov/fccUserReg/pages/reset-passwd-identify.htm. Filers that have not previously created a Username may do so by visiting the User Registration System at https://apps2.fcc.gov/fccUserReg/pages/createAccount.htm.

Filers can associate their Username with an FRN by logging in at https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do and clicking on the appropriate option. Additional information regarding creating and associating FRNs with a Username can be found on the CORES FAQs page at https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/publicHome.do?faq=true&csfrToken=.

Tips from the FCC on Form One Filing

Broadcasters can pre-populate Form One by completing the FRN and Facility ID fields. EAS Participants that pre-populate Form One using a Facility ID number or a PSID number are urged to review their pre-populated data to ensure accuracy.

Each EAS Participant should file a separate copy of Form One for each of its EAS decoders, EAS encoders, or units combining such decoder and encoder functions. For example, if an individual is filing for a station that uses two units combining decoder and encoder functions, that individual should file two copies of Form One.

EAS Participants using an intermediary device/CAP-to-EAS converter in accordance with Section 11.56(b) should enter both the intermediary device and the EAS encoder/decoder in the EAS equipment section of the same Form One.

Filers can update previously filed forms in ETRS by clicking on the "My Filings" menu option and then picking on the record for that form.

Where to Go for Help with ETRS

Stations that have questions or need help with the filing process are encouraged to contact FCC staff for assistance by emailing [email protected]. Filers may contact FCC Licensing Support for assistance with creating a Username or other CORES troubleshooting via the web at https://www.fcc.gov/wtbhelp or by telephone at 1-877-480-3201. The support hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except Federal holidays such as Labor Day in September).

"Modernizing" EAS and Other FCC-Regulated Alerting Systems

At last week's August meeting, the FCC voted to launch a rulemaking for a ground-up re-examination of the national alert and warning systems, including EAS and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). The FCC will explore "whether fundamental changes to these systems could make them more effective, efficient, and better able to serve the public's needs."

As part of the rulemaking, the FCC said it will:

• Seek comment on the objectives for effective alert and warning systems.
• Explore which entities need to be able to send alerts to fully accomplish these objectives and how these needs should be addressed in the design of alerting systems.
• Consider the alert transmission capabilities that a national public alert and warning system must have to achieve its objectives, including the need for resilience, geographic targeting, and security.
• Ask whether EAS and WEA are meeting the needs and expectations of both the public and alerting authorities, and if not, whether redesign or targeted changes would allow EAS and WEA to fully reach their potential.
• Examine both the types of information and distribution methods needed to effectively convey information to the public through EAS and WEA.

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