Emergency Alert System (EAS)

EAS is a national public warning system that requires broadcasters to provide communications capability to the President to address the American public 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 weather information targeted to a specific area

July ‘07, FCC released new EAS rules, creating what they have dubbed the "Next Generation EAS"
Based on CAP, Common Alerting Protocol
Next Gen EAS WEM is working with
- MyStateUSA
- HazCollect

FEMA is the administrating body of CAP
All EAS broadcasting agents will be required to be CAP compliant within 180 days after FEMA adopts CAP. In order for CAP to function properly a hardware device, specifically a “CAP decoder”, will be required.
FEMA is not expected to adopt CAP until at least the fall of 2008.

MyStateUSA interoperability services make it possible to notify:

MyStateUSA interoperability services make it possible to notify:

Wisconsin is pioneering the cell broadcast capability of MSUSA.
Message originated with an authorized user of MSUSA, sent via the web to MSUSA servers to “CELLCAST”, who “takes the text message to the next level”.
Uses existing dedicated channel (921) in all cell phones, both domestic and international and sends the message simultaneously via “Einstein Wireless” network. The effect is to have all phones be contacted at once vs. one at a time. Note: The ability to broadcast is carrier dependent.
How CellCast Messaging Works: On MSUSA website the user can input FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standards) codes or use the map function to draw a circle or polygon around the area to be notified. The message is then sent the cell towers in the designated area and any phone in that area will be notified. The nature of the message itself is “very intrusive”. It will essentially override any call in progress and will leave a message. The message does have an expiration element to it.