2 
 
The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is a national public warning system that 
requires broadcasters, cable television systems, wireless cable systems, 
wireline video providers, satellite digital audio radio service providers and 
direct broadcast satellite service providers to make their communications 
facilities available to the President during a National emergency.  The 
system also may be used by state and local authorities to deliver important 
emergency information such as AMBER alerts and severe weather warnings 
targeted to specific geographical regions or areas. 
 
This handbook provides EAS participants summary instructions for 
conducting EAS notifications and tests of national, state and local alerts.   
 
This handbook should be located at each operator position and should be 
immediately available to staff responsible for authenticating and initiating 
emergency action notifications, termination notices, alerts and tests. 
 
 
For more detailed information, refer to the FCC’s EAS rules and regulations 
at 47 C.F.R. Part 11.  
 
3 
 
Helpful Information ……………………………………….…….....4 
 
National Activation Procedures …………………………………6 
Activated by the President 
 
National Termination Procedures………..……………….……15 
 
Monthly and Weekly EAS Test……………………………….....20 
Activated according to State and Local plan 
4 
 
Monitoring Requirements 
 
All EAS Participants must monitor two EAS sources.  The monitoring assignments are specified in the EAS 
State Plans and are determined according to FCC monitoring priorities.  If the required EAS sources cannot be 
received, alternate arrangements or a waiver may be obtained by written request to the FCC.  In an emergency, 
a waiver may be issued by the FCC over the telephone with a follow-up letter to confirm temporary or 
permanent reassignment.  (47 C.F.R. Section 11.52) 
 
EAS Equipment Readiness  
 
EAS participants are responsible for ensuring that encoders, decoders and signal generating equipment used 
as part of the EAS are installed so that the monitoring and transmitting functions are available during the times 
that the station is in operation.  In addition, EAS participants must determine the cause of any failure to receive 
the required tests or activations specified in Section 11.61(a)(1) and (a)(2) and indicate in the station’s EAS log 
why the tests were not received.  These logs must be retained for two years at the EAS participant’s 
headquarters and must be made available for public inspection upon reasonable request.  
 
In the event the EAS equipment becomes defective, a station may operate without the equipment pending its 
repair or replacement for a period not to exceed 60 days.  If repair or replacement of defective equipment is not 
completed within 60 days, participants must submit an informal request for additional time to their assigned 
FCC field office.  The request must include an explanation of what steps have been taken to repair the 
equipment.   (47 C.F.R. Section 11.35(b) & (c)).  Entries must be made in the participant’s logs showing the 
date and time the equipment was removed and restored to service.   
For more information on EAS, contact the Federal Communications Commission at our toll-free number (888) CALL FCC or (888) 225-5322 or 
visit our EAS website at http://www.fcc.gov/pshs/eas/Welcome.html  
5 
 
 
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6 
 
Automatic and Manual Operation 
 
You will see the words “Emergency Action Notification” 
on the broadcast station EAS decoder display. 
 
You will hear the following Emergency Action 
Notification message from the EAS decoder. 
1 
 
Receive the 
Emergency 
Action 
Notification 
(EAN) message 
 Emergency Action Notification Audio 
 Message 
 
This is an Emergency Action Notification requested by 
the White House.  All EAS participants will follow 
activation procedures in the EAS Operating Handbook 
for a national level emergency.  The President of the 
United States or his representative will shortly deliver a 
message over the Emergency Alert System. 
(47 C.F.R. §11.54) 
7 
 
For Manual Operation 
Cease all programming and prepare to transmit the 
following announcement. 
We interrupt our programming; this is a 
national emergency. 
 
Broadcast this Announcement 
 
 
This announcement may be made in the primary language of 
the SDARS or DBS provider. 
2 
 
Interrupt 
normal 
programming 
 
3 
 
 
 
Transmit this 
announcement: 
8 
 
For Automatic Operation 
EAS equipment will retransmit header codes and the 
attention signal. 
 
For Manual Operation 
Use the EAS encoder to retransmit the header codes and 
the attention signal. 
4 
 
Transmit the 
EAS header 
codes followed 
by the attention 
signal. 
SDARS providers must aurally transmit header code 
data. 
 
Direct Broadcast Satellite stations must visually and 
aurally transmit header code data. 
9 
 
Broadcast this Announcement 
 
 
This is an Emergency Action Notification.  All satellite television 
and satellite radio providers shall transmit this Emergency 
Action Notification Message.  [Name of provider] has interrupted 
its regular programming at the request of the White House 
to participate in the Emergency Alert System. 
 
During this emergency, most stations will remain on the air 
providing news and information to the public in assigned areas. 
This is [satellite provider name].  We will continue operate.  If you 
are not in this Local Area, you should tune to stations providing 
news and information for your Local Area.  You are listening to 
the Emergency Alert System. 
 
Do not use your telephone.  The telephone lines should be kept 
open for emergency use. 
5 
 
For Manual 
Operation 
10 
 
Monitor the following sources for further 
instructions: 
 
null Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service 
stations must directly monitor at least 
two sources, including one Primary 
Entry Point station, or must directly 
monitor the originating source from 
FEMA. 
 
null Direct Broadcast Satellite stations must 
directly monitor at least two EAS 
sources, one of which must be a 
Primary Entry Point station.  
6 
 
Monitor the 
following 
sources for 
further 
instructions 
11 
 
The priorities for EAS messages are: 
During a national emergency, the facilities of all EAS participants 
must be reserved exclusively for distribution of Presidential  
Messages. 
First Presidential messages take 
priority over any other message 
Second Local Area messages 
Third State messages 
Fourth National Information Center 
(NIC) messages 
7 
 
Transmit 
emergency 
messages as 
soon as they 
are available 
(47 C.F.R. §11.44) 
12 
 
Broadcast this Announcement 
 
We interrupt our programming at the request of the White 
House. This is the Emergency Alert System.  All normal 
programming has been discontinued during this emergency. 
 
This is (satellite provider name). This satellite network will 
continue furnishing news, official information and 
instructions for the (EAS Local Area name) area. 
 
Providers may opt to tune to a local radio or television station 
providing news and information for your area. 
It is important that you listen carefully to announcements 
from the station in your local area. 
REPEAT 
Manual Operation 
8 
 
Transmit this 
standby script 
until 
emergency 
messages are 
available 
13 
 
Transmit the 
End of Message 
Code 
 
 
Log 
 
 
 
 
Monitor 
For Automatic Operation 
The EAS encoder is programmed to automatically transmit the 
End of Message (EOM) code. 
 
For Manual Operation 
Manually transmit the End of Message (EOM) code with the 
EAS encoder. 
 
1. Log the time and date the Emergency 
Action Notification is received at your 
station; 
 
2. Monitor your EAS source for the 
Emergency Action Termination Message; 
 
3. When the Emergency Action Termination 
message is received on the EAS decoder, 
follow the National Termination Procedures 
included in this handbook. 
9 
 
After the 
Presidential 
message: 
14 
 
 
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15 
 
Automatic and Manual Operation 
 
You will see the words “Emergency Action Termination” 
on the broadcast station EAS decoder display. 
 
You will hear the following Emergency Action 
Termination Message from the EAS decoder. 
Emergency Action Termination Message 
 
This concludes operations under the Emergency 
Alert System.  All normal programming operations may 
now resume. 
1 
 
Receive the 
Emergency 
Action 
Termination 
16 
 
EAS Header Codes 
 
 
Attention Signal 
For Automatic Operation 
The EAS encoder will automatically transmit your EAS 
header code and attention signal. 
 
 
 
For Manual Operation 
Use your EAS encoder to transmit the EAS header code. 
 
 
Use your EAS encoder to transmit the EAS attention signal. 
2 
 
Transmit the 
EAS header 
codes and 
attention 
signal. 
Direct Broadcast Satellite stations must visually 
and aurally transmit header code data. 
17 
 
For Manual Operation  
Use the EAS encoder to transmit this announcement: 
Broadcast this Announcement 
 
 
This concludes operations under the Emergency Alert 
System.  All normal programming operations may now 
resume. 
REPEAT ANNOUNCEMENT 
3 
 
Transmit this 
announcement 
18 
 
For Automatic Operation 
The EAS encoder will automatically transmit the EOM 
code. 
For Manual Operation 
Use the EAS encoder to transmit the EOM code. 
Resume normal programming 
Log Receipt of Emergency Message 
Record the time that the Emergency Action Termination 
notice was received in records/logs. 
4 
 
Transmit the 
End of 
Message (EOM)
code 
5 
 
Resume 
programming 
6 
 
Log 
19 
 
 
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20 
 
Direct Broadcast 
Satellite and Satellite 
Digital Audio Radio 
Service stations are 
required to test their 
ability to receive and 
distribute EAS 
messages and to 
keep records of all 
tests.     
 
 
 
 
Weekly Tests: 
null Weekly tests consist of transmitting the EAS digital header codes and end of message codes, once 
each week. 
null Weekly tests must be conducted by SDARS on random days and at different times on all 
channels. 
null Weekly tests are not required during the week that a monthly test is conducted. 
null DBS providers must log receipt of weekly tests but are not required to transmit it. 
 
Monthly Tests: 
Monthly tests must be conducted on 10 percent of all DBS channels, with channels tested varying 
from month to month, so that over the course of a given year, 100 percent of all channels are tested.  
Monthly tests consist of transmitting: 
null EAS digital header codes; 
null the two-tone attention signal; 
null a brief test script and end of message code; 
null a visual display of header code data, where applicable.. 
 
Monthly tests must be retransmitted within 60 minutes of receipt. 
 
Odd/Even Months:   
null In odd months, monthly tests must be conducted between 8:30 a.m. to local sunset. 
null In even months, monthly tests must be conducted between local sunset to 8:30 a.m.  
 
 
(47 C.F.R. §11.61) 
EAS tests are required by FCC Rules and must follow  
FCC Rule requirements 
21 
 
Failure to 
receive an EAS 
test 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Failure to send 
an EAS test 
NO MONTHLY TEST IS NECESSARY during a month when there is an EAS activation that 
includes a two-tone alert signal and an audio message. 
IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A TEST EACH WEEK from your two assigned monitoring 
sources, take the following actions: 
• Determine why no test was received. 
? Check your EAS equipment 
? Call your monitoring source(s) 
• Take appropriate corrective action. 
• Document your findings in the EAS record logs. 
 
IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO SEND A TEST EACH WEEK, take the following actions: 
• Determine why no test was sent. 
? Check your EAS equipment 
• Take appropriate corrective action. 
• Document your findings in the EAS record logs. 
 
IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO SEND A MONTHLY TEST RECEIVED from your assigned 
monitoring sources, take the following actions: 
• Determine why no test was sent. 
? Check your EAS equipment 
? Call your monitoring source(s) 
• Take appropriate corrective action. 
• Document your findings in the EAS record logs. 
22 
 
1. Receive test 
Receive and log the weekly test from all of your EAS monitoring 
assignments. 
2. Transmit  
weekly test 
Weekly tests must be conducted by EAS participants on different 
days and at different times. 
3. Discontinue 
normal  
programming 
 
 
 
 
SDARS providers must transmit weekly tests codes and transmit 
EOM codes.  These providers should use their EAS encoder to 
transmit the EAS header code and the EOM code.  DBS providers 
are not required to transmit this test but must log receipt. 
4. Resume  
normal  
programming  
and log 
Resume normal programming and log receipt and transmission of 
test. 
Sample Audio Message 
This is a test of the Emergency Alert System. 
Weekly Tests 
23 
 
1. Receive the  
test from your  
EAS monitoring  
assignment 
 
2. Transmit this 
optional 
announcement 
 
3. Discontinue 
normal  
programming 
 
4. Retransmit 
Use the EAS encoder to retransmit the header codes and attention signal 
within 60 minutes of receipt. 
 
 
Sample Audio Message 
This is a test of the Emergency Alert System. 
Monthly Tests 
NOTE:  Only authorized stations may initiate a monthly test. 
24 
 
5. Monthly Tests 
 
Retransmit the 
monthly test 
script as 
received from 
your source 
 
Sample Test Script 
 
This is a coordinated monthly test of the 
stations of your area.  We are testing equip-
ment that can quickly warn you during 
emergencies.  If this had been an actual 
emergency such as a (insert types of 
emergencies that may occur in the 
geographic area), an official message would 
have followed the alert tone. 
 
This concludes this test of the Emergency 
Alert System. 
Monthly Tests 
25 
 
6. Transmit the 
End of Message 
(EOM) codes 
 
 
Use the station EAS encoder to transmit the EAS header code and 
the EOM code. 
7. Resume normal 
programming 
and log 
Resume normal programming. 
 
Log receipt and transmission of test. 
 
Steps 3 through 7 of the monthly tests may be performed automatically. 
Monthly Tests