State of Ohio Emergency Alert System (EAS)
State of Ohio Emergency Alert Plan
Local radio and television stations play a critical role during emergencies, providing life-saving information through news broadcasts and the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The Oho State Emergency Communications Committee (SECC) is responsible for preparing Ohio’s EAS plan in compliance with FCC rules and regulations and in cooperation with the State of Ohio Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and the National Weather Service (NWS).
The Ohio EAS plan has been significantly revised and was approved by the FCC in June 2023. Stations participating in the EAS system may request additional information about monitoring assignments and test schedules by contacting the OAB’s Christine Merritt.
2023 EAS Operating Handbook
In February, 2023, the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau released an updated version of the EAS Operating Handbook. The last version of the Handbooks was issued in 2021. The 2023 EAS Operating Handbook is available here.
FCC rules require that all stations keep a copy of the Handbook “at normal duty positions or EAS equipment locations when an operator is required to be on duty” and that the Handbook “be immediately available to staff responsible for authenticating messages and initiating actions.”
Oct. 4 EAS Nationwide Test
The FCC announced that the next nationwide EAS test is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023 at 2:20 p.m. ET. All broadcasters are required to: participate in the Oct. 4 nationwide test; timely amend their prior 2023 Form One filings (if necessary); and timely file the remaining required Form Two and Three reports associated with the nationwide test.
The OAB’s regulatory counsel of Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP, has provided the following guidance regarding the nationwide test: