PUBLIC NOTICE
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554
News Media Information  202 / 418-0500
Fax-On-Demand  202 / 418-2830
TTY  202 / 418-2555
Internet:  http://www.fcc.gov
ftp.fcc.gov
 DA 12-1352
Released:  August 17, 2012
PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU ACTION
PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU NOTIFIES NATIONWIDE EAS 
TEST PARTICIPANTS THAT TEST INFORMATION IS BEING SHARED WITH THE 
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE
EB Docket No. 04-296
On November 9, 2011, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) and the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency conducted the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System 
(EAS).  Section 11.61(a)(3)(iv) of the Commission’s Rules  required EAS Participants (including radio 
and television broadcasters, cable TV service providers, satellite service providers and others1) to submit 
test performance information “within forty five (45) days following the test.”2 In its EAS Third Report 
and Order, the Commission specifically provided that submitted information would be presumed 
confidential and not released to the public.3
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has informed the Commission that GAO is 
reviewing progress made in modernizing the EAS, including review of the results of the nationwide EAS 
test and efforts underway to address any weaknesses in the EAS identified by the test.4 GAO has 
requested test result information.  Pursuant to Section 0.442(d)(3) of the Commission’s Rules,5 the Public 
  
1 See 47 C.F.R. §11.1.
2 47 C.F.R. §11.61(a)(3)(iv).  In a subsequently issued Public Notice, the Commission specifically instructed EAS 
Participants to submit test result data no later than December 27, 2011. See Federal Communications Commission 
Reminds EAS Participants about November 9, 2011 Nationwide EAS Test, Public Notice, 26 FCC Rcd 15109 
(2011).
3 See Review of the Emergency Alert System, EB Docket No. 04-296, Third Report and Order, 26 FCC Rcd 1460, 
1488 ¶73 (2011)(Third Report and Order).  The Commission stated disclosure of test data would be limited to 
FEMA, the National Weather Service, the Executive Office of the President as well as to state government 
emergency management agencies that have confidential treatment protections at least equal to the Freedom of 
Information Act.  Id.
4 Letter dated July 5, 2012 from Mark Goldstein, Director, Physical Infrastructure to Mr. David Robbins, 
Managing Director, Federal Communications Commission.
5 47 CFR 0.442(d)(3).  See also 47 CFR 0.442(e).
2Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (Bureau) hereby notifies EAS Participants that have submitted 
nationwide EAS test information that the Commission is sharing that information with GAO in response 
to GAO’s request.  
For further information, contact Thomas J. Beers, Chief, Policy and Licensing Division, Public 
Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, at (202) 418-0952.
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