STATE
OF WASHINGTON
EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM
Approved by the
Federal Communications Commission, March
3, 1997
July 9 , 2008
Present: Kevin Noyes; Mark Allen; Ted Buehner; Jim Tharp; Roland Robinson, Jim Dalke.
By phone: Don White; Phil Johnson; Helen Byington; Bob Wyatt; Kerry Jones; Tyrea Wilde, NWS Portland.
The meeting was opened by Clay Freinwald.
Minutes from the last meeting were distributed on the remailer June 9 and approved.
Announcements included a reminder about the new remailer and need for participants to register at http://sea.sbe16.org/mailman/listinfo/eas-wa The new remailer is being hosted by Hatfield & Dawson Engineers and Seattle SBE Chapter 16.
There was a discussion of the latest developments with the next generation EAS. Some of the latest information can be found on the Society of Broadcast Engineers website at http://www.sbe.org/gov_eas.php There was a discussion of some of the problems associated with the implementation of the new EAS system, including coordination with FEMA and compatibility with the existing EAS and NWS SAME protocol.
There was a discussion of the SBE request to the FCC to set aside 100 kHz of the spectrum being reauctioned by the FCC.
Clay gave a report on the EAS summit May 19 held in Washington DC.
Old Business included a discussion about the SE Washington replacement for retiring Art Blum and a new Columbia Basin Chair, and North Puget Sound LECC Chair without conclusion. There was also a discussion about the need for a Cable Industry representative for the SECC.
Mark Allen reported on progress to implement bylaws for the SECC. There was a discussion on the number of voting members under the new bylaws. There was discussion on the members of the executive committee which would comprise both state and industry representatives.
Mark Allen also reported on the Amber Review Committee's progress. Mark said the goal was to complete the review by the end of the year. Mark also talked about the implementation of a new category of alert called a "endangered missing person advisory," which would not involve an amber alert but would provide the media with information on missing Alzheimer patients for example.
New Business included a discussion of the summer thunderstorms and distribution of weather alerts to appropriate areas over the SRN.
It was reported a Lower Columbia EAS local plan was ready for approval by Don Miller.
Reports included Phil Johnson’s account of the failed June RMT. Phil said it was determined a switch had malfunctioned causing a failure of a backup repeater. Clay said he would arrange for a replacement. There was a discussion about having an agreement for maintenance for the King County SRN.
Ted Buehner thanked Jim Tharp for his help with the TFT and Clays help with Don Price with the Squawk Mountain relay.
Ted Buehner discussed the activation of EAS for high wind events. Ted provided the following information:
The SECC obtained suggested 'high impact' wind storm wind speed criteria for EAS activation for the state of Washington from National Weather Service representatives during the meeting.
The criteria re:
Coast: Wind speeds greater than or equal to 60 mph sustained or gusts of 90 mph.
Rest of Washington Lowlands: Wind speeds greater than or equal to 50 mph sustained or gusts of 75 mph.
In addition, EAS would be activated if these wind speeds are forecast for a targeted geographic area with up to 6 hours lead time of when the winds are anticipated to start.
If that anticipated start of strong winds is during an overnight (late night/early morning) time period, that six hour lead time will be extended backwards into the evening hours to help reduce overnight EAS activations.
Comments on this proposal are welcome now. This topic will be finalized at the Sept SECC meeting with implementation set for this coming winter storm season. Please provide your comments here on the remailer. Thanks!
Ted also mentioned the upcoming Emergency Management Workshops at NWS Sandpoint October 1 and 2. Ted also said September is Weather Radio Awareness Month.
Clay talked about a recent FCC EAS violation incident that involved two stations that shared a common studio facility and shared common EAS equipment. The FCC said each station must have their own separate equipment to comply with the EAS regulations.
Roland Robinson said the 2009 RMT schedule is being prepared for publication.
The technical committee reported the problem receiving EAS alerts at KING-FM had been resolved. A connection between the monitor receivers and the SAGE Endec had been repaired. Station personnel had been monitoring the audio output from the receivers, but not the monitor function internally in the SBE.
The next SECC meeting will be held September 10 at the Washington State Emergency Management facility.
Jim Dalke
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