WELCOMEWELCOMESBE ChapterSBE Chapter

Norfolk, VANorfolk, VA

February 11, 2010February 11, 2010

HousekeepingHousekeeping

• Please sign the sheet or drop a cardPlease sign the sheet or drop a card

• Pick up brochures and handouts Pick up brochures and handouts

• Comments or questions at any timeComments or questions at any time

DASDECDASDEC

Three Irrefutable Laws of EASThree Irrefutable Laws of EAS

Law 1. Law 1. It’s not going awayIt’s not going away Law 2. Law 2. It will continue to changeIt will continue to change

Law 3. Law 3. You must complyYou must comply

Law 1. Law 1. It’s not going awayIt’s not going away• 19511951 Conelrad – AM radio 640 or 1240 KHzConelrad – AM radio 640 or 1240 KHz• 1963 1963 Emergency Broadcast System (EBS) – two tone alertEmergency Broadcast System (EBS) – two tone alert

and operate at assigned frequencyand operate at assigned frequency• 19901990 President George H. Bush directs development of aPresident George H. Bush directs development of a

system to speak to the countrysystem to speak to the country• 19941994 EBS changed to Emergency Alert System (EAS) withEBS changed to Emergency Alert System (EAS) with

new operation and communications definednew operation and communications defined• 19971997 FCC requires EAS compliance for BroadcastersFCC requires EAS compliance for Broadcasters• 19981998 FCC requires EAS compliance for large cable systemsFCC requires EAS compliance for large cable systems• 20022002 FCC requires EAS compliance for small cableFCC requires EAS compliance for small cable

systems systems • 2007 2007 EAS compliance mandated for IPTV and SatelliteEAS compliance mandated for IPTV and Satellite

providersproviders

Law 2. Law 2. It will continue to changeIt will continue to change• 19511951 Conelrad – AM radio 640 or 1240 KHzConelrad – AM radio 640 or 1240 KHz• 1963 1963 Emergency Broadcast System (EBS) – two tone alertEmergency Broadcast System (EBS) – two tone alert

and operate at assigned frequencyand operate at assigned frequency• 19901990 President George H. Bush directs development of aPresident George H. Bush directs development of a

system to speak to the countrysystem to speak to the country• 19941994 EBS changed to Emergency Alert System (EAS) withEBS changed to Emergency Alert System (EAS) with

new operation and communications definednew operation and communications defined• 19971997 FCC requires EAS compliance for BroadcastersFCC requires EAS compliance for Broadcasters• 19981998 FCC requires EAS compliance for large cable systemsFCC requires EAS compliance for large cable systems• 20022002 FCC requires EAS compliance for small cableFCC requires EAS compliance for small cable

systems systems • 2007 2007 EAS compliance mandated for IPTV and SatelliteEAS compliance mandated for IPTV and Satellite

providersproviders

* 2008* 2008 Next generation to include Common Alerting Protocol (CAP)Next generation to include Common Alerting Protocol (CAP)

* 2010* 2010 Expect FEMA to publish new rules & start compliance clockExpect FEMA to publish new rules & start compliance clock

Evolution of EAS – What’s NextEvolution of EAS – What’s Next

• CAP is an XML (eXtensible Markup Language) file format for exchanging public warnings and emergencies between alerting technologies

• CAP is an internationally accepted standard

• Being adopted by FEMA as an addition to upgrade EAS

• Comprises a number of optional elements

Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) Common Alerting Protocol (CAP)

Text Images Audio Video Hyperlinks

CAPCAP

Putting together the CAP messagePutting together the CAP message

Emergency Responders

and Gatherers

Emergency Operations Center

• Format• File• Forward

Internet Server

Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) Common Alerting Protocol (CAP)

EAS/CAP – How it all FitsEAS/CAP – How it all Fits

Broadcast Facility

Over-the -airOver-

the -air

Broadcasters are Broadcasters are encouraged to work with encouraged to work with EOC’s to improve EOC’s to improve communications loops & communications loops & operational methods.operational methods.

Emergency Operations Center

Data S

ources

Format

File Forward

TCP/IP (In

ternet)

EASEAS

EASEAS

CAPCAP

Reasons for OptimismReasons for Optimism

• CAP points us in the right direction by:CAP points us in the right direction by:– Addressing two major EAS criticismsAddressing two major EAS criticisms

• Lack of detail Lack of detail • Lack of updatesLack of updates

– State & Local EOCs assume greater State & Local EOCs assume greater responsibilityresponsibility• FEMA Statement – NAB 2009FEMA Statement – NAB 2009

– Provides broadcasters substantially more Provides broadcasters substantially more details from an authenticated sourcedetails from an authenticated source• Improved communications to audienceImproved communications to audience

Alaska’s EAN Test – January 2010Alaska’s EAN Test – January 2010

• First time an EAN has First time an EAN has been “issued”been “issued”

• A qualified “success”A qualified “success”• Pointed out significant Pointed out significant

problems with EASproblems with EAS

Radio Magazine - January 2010 Radio Magazine - January 2010

• Reference to the Alaska Test: “The NPRM notes Reference to the Alaska Test: “The NPRM notes several potential weaknesses in the EAS.”several potential weaknesses in the EAS.”

– The daisy-chain structureThe daisy-chain structure

– EAS administration and testing by multiple agencies EAS administration and testing by multiple agencies

at multiple levels of operationsat multiple levels of operations

– Lack of redundancyLack of redundancy

– Gaps in coverageGaps in coverage

– Lack of testing and trainingLack of testing and training

– Limitations on how alerts are disseminatedLimitations on how alerts are disseminated

Law 3. Law 3. You Must ComplyYou Must Comply

• EAS compliance is mandated by the FCCEAS compliance is mandated by the FCC• The FCC Enforcement Bureau (EB) is becoming The FCC Enforcement Bureau (EB) is becoming

more stringentmore stringent• Fines are being levied with no impunityFines are being levied with no impunity

– American SamoaAmerican Samoa– KWVEKWVE

• Do you have some examples?Do you have some examples?

FCC’s FNPRM* 1-14-10FCC’s FNPRM* 1-14-10

• There will be further testing of EAN There will be further testing of EAN

(National Alert) in the lower 48(National Alert) in the lower 48

• FEMA anticipates adopting CAP in 3Q - 2010FEMA anticipates adopting CAP in 3Q - 2010

• The Second R&O requires EAS participants to: “…adopt The Second R&O requires EAS participants to: “…adopt

next generation EAS delivery systems no later than 180 next generation EAS delivery systems no later than 180

days after FEMA publicly releases standards for those days after FEMA publicly releases standards for those

systems”systems”

*Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making

The Road to ComplianceThe Road to Compliance

The Road to ComplianceThe Road to Compliance

• CAP to EAS “Translator”CAP to EAS “Translator”– Installs in-line with currentInstalls in-line with current

EAS Equipment EAS Equipment– ““Converts” CAP message Converts” CAP message

into EAS protocolinto EAS protocol– Requires one audio input to Requires one audio input to

existing EAS equipmentexisting EAS equipment

Road TwoRoad Two

• CAP Capable EAS CAP Capable EAS en/dec en/dec – Combines CAP and EASCombines CAP and EAS

into a 1-box solution into a 1-box solution– Gathers “full” CAP Gathers “full” CAP

messagemessage– Adds many new Adds many new

capabilitiescapabilities

Road OneRoad One

The Road to ComplianceThe Road to Compliance

• Improved EAS operationImproved EAS operation– open browser accessopen browser access

• template entry & controltemplate entry & control– File based storageFile based storage

• No paper tapesNo paper tapes• Re-forwardingRe-forwarding

– Electronic records for FCCElectronic records for FCC

– Unified operationUnified operation • improved interfaceimproved interface• Easier to train & maintainEasier to train & maintain

– Accurate clocksAccurate clocks• Referenced time-baseReferenced time-base

• CAP ReadyCAP Ready– Same open browser accessSame open browser access

– EAS/CAP shared interfaceEAS/CAP shared interface – Fiscal responsibilityFiscal responsibility

• Less cost to serviceLess cost to service• Less cost to supportLess cost to support

• Support Support – One company provides One company provides

service & supportservice & support

• Eliminate finger Eliminate finger pointingpointing

Integrated EAS / CAP Package Benefits: Integrated EAS / CAP Package Benefits:

Total Cost of Ownership - Total Cost of Ownership - Consider the 3 LawsConsider the 3 LawsThe Road to ComplianceThe Road to Compliance

• Law 1. Law 1. It’s not going away It’s not going away – Equipment choices have a long-term consequenceEquipment choices have a long-term consequence

• Long term commitment for you & for the manufacturerLong term commitment for you & for the manufacturer

• Law 2. Law 2. It will continue to change It will continue to change – Equipment must be flexibleEquipment must be flexible

• Built on standard platform with powerful software Built on standard platform with powerful software optionsoptions

• Law 3Law 3. You must comply. You must comply– With current and pending requirementsWith current and pending requirements

EASEASEncoder/DecoderEncoder/Decoder

CAPCAPMessage TranslatorMessage Translator

InternetInternet

Next Generation Encoder/Decoder

The Road to ComplianceThe Road to Compliance

• Where we started• What’ being added• New input requires the addition• Coming together in one box

DASDECDASDEC

The Road to ComplianceThe Road to Compliance

• The ruling planned release is 3rd Qtr 2010The ruling planned release is 3rd Qtr 2010– 180-day compliance clock starts180-day compliance clock starts

• A Test Bed provides:A Test Bed provides:– Direct, hands-on implementation experienceDirect, hands-on implementation experience

• Work out the kinks now – before compliance mandateWork out the kinks now – before compliance mandate

– A small monetary investmentA small monetary investment• Assures right choice prior to larger commitmentAssures right choice prior to larger commitment

– A small time investment to understand long-term A small time investment to understand long-term operational requirementsoperational requirements

– The best vendor evaluationThe best vendor evaluation• Know you can trust the manufacturer for supportKnow you can trust the manufacturer for support

Start a Test BedStart a Test Bed

Questions & CommentsQuestions & Comments

Please check out our “new” web sitePlease check out our “new” web sitewww.digitalalertsystems.comwww.digitalalertsystems.com

Thanks to:Thanks to:

Cindy EdwardsCindy Edwards

Broadcasters General StoreBroadcasters General Store

Thank YouThank You

Bruce RobertsonBruce RobertsonDigital Alert SystemsDigital Alert Systems

bruce@digitalalertsystems.com Office: 585-765-1155Office: 585-765-1155

Cell: 520-488-8667Cell: 520-488-8667

www.digitalalertsystems.comwww.digitalalertsystems.com

Emergency Messaging Solutions Emergency Messaging Solutions

from People You Can Trustfrom People You Can Trust

EAS/CAP > going forward

www.digitalalertsystems.comwww.digitalalertsystems.com