Emergency Alerting Systems

Presented By: Walter Johnston Communications Systems Analysis Division Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau

1 National EAS

Emergency Alert System Implemented in 1994 Administered by FEMA, FCC, NOAA Analog content compatible with broadcast media Expanded by FCC order in 2005 Present Radio Television Cable Television End - 2006 Digital broadcasters Digital cable TV providers Satellite Digital Radio May - 2007 Satellite TV

2 National EAS Architecture

FEMA

PEP

State EOC State Public Governor Primary NWS

Mayor Local EOC NWS LP 1 Public LP-2 Off-Air Monitoring

Primary Primary National Public National Public TV/Radio/Cable TV/Radio/Cable

Public Public

3 EAS Evolution

Provide for more effective usage Expand information carried Expand population reached

4 Other National Alerting Systems

AMBER Alert

Voluntary program initiated in 1996

Alerts on child abduction

Utilizes EAS, cell phone, Internet, and other distribution mechanisms NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards

Network of radio stations broadcasting weather, emergency alerts including AMBER alerts

Translations available for special needs

5 Technology Trends

Broadcast media transitioning to digital Mobile service providers deploying broadband infrastructure capable of supporting wide range of services Internet and satellite technology expands capability to distribute alerts Alerting protocols developed to distribute and present alerts from multiple systems in standard formats Expanding range of devices suitable for alerting Highway alerts, pagers, telephones, computers, cell phones

6 Emergency Protocols

Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) Developed by NOAA, used in EAS Legacy protocol for current system Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) Data inter-exchange standard for alerting and event notification Flexible format Provision for text, audio, video Multi-lingual and multi-audience Digital encryption and signature Geographic targeting 1 Controlled by OASIS and supported by ITU Emergency Data Exchange Language (EDXL) 1 OASIS development Supports message distribution, resource data exchange, operations, etc. Incorporates CAP for alerting messages

1. Organization for the Advancement of Structure Information Standards 7 Technology Driven Opportunities

Ability to integrate alerts from multiple systems Capability to sort/distribute alerts by type, geography, subscription, appliance type Meet specific user needs Non-English languages Text, audio, video or Special needs

8 Executive Order 13407 6/28/06

Recognizes need for expansion of alerting system Recognizes opportunities created by technology trends Directs Homeland Security to develop implementation plan for alerting system supporting delivery of alerts to the public through as many pathways as possible

9 FEMA Initiatives

Geo- Targeted Alerting Emergency Alert System System (GTAS) DHS Web (EAS) and Alert and Digital EAS Relay (DEAS) Integrated Network Public Alert (DHS WARN) & Warning Integration System Integration Amber Alert with NOAS (IPAWS) Alert/Warning with other Radiological Systems Federal, Programs National State and Chemical Stockpile Warning local systems System Prepnet (NAWAS) Others….

10 Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS)

IPAWS is: A DHS-sponsored program to improve public alert and warning System of warning systems (includes both current & new systems) DHS led, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and others Congress provided $20 million to improve public warning Coordinated with White House Task Force on Effective Warning, co-chaired by DHS and NOAA

11 IPAWS Pilot

12 Warn Act Initiative

National Alert

User Subscribed

Local Alert Cell System

State Special Needs Non-English

Other