STATE
OF WASHINGTON
EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM
Approved by the
Federal Communications Commission, March
3, 1997
March 12 , 2008
Present: Terry Spring-KWPX; Tim Lawson-Snohomish County DEM; Ted Buehner-NWS Seattle; Phil Johnson-Central Puget Sound LECC; Clay Freinwald-Entercom, Bustos, KING-FM; Roland Robinson-Bates; Jim Tharp-Bonneville; Mark Allen-WSAB; Jim Dalke; Larry Aegerier
Via Phone: Arthur Willetts-KWDK; Kris McGowan-FCC; Bob Wyatt-KSPS; Mark Kennedy-KNDO; Nels Nelson-Spokane County Radio Repair; Scott Hines-WA Governors Office; Don White-Tribune; Deborah Needham-City of Renton; Sandy Johnson-Thurston County; Dennis Hull-NWS Pendleton; Andy Hendricks-FEMA; Kevin Noyes-Skagit County EM; Dan Good-ESCA
Introductions were made and the minutes from the previous meeting were approved.
In California, there was a proposal for EAS alerts for escaped prisoners. Thankfully this is not going to happen.
Clay reported on the EAS Summit. David Webb has moved on from IPAWS (http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/) and Lance Craver is now in charge. The next generation of EAS will be decided by the council. Part 11 of the FCC rules will be rewritten. The 180 day clock that is part of the FCC NPRM won't start until everything is in place. They will allow everyone to be ready. One thing that is certain is that new equipment will be required and it should cost about the same as the present gear.
At this year's NAB convention, the SBE will not be hosting an EAS session. The NAB will host 2 management session panels, one on unattended operation and one on technology, the next generation. These are not part of the free admission. The SBE EAS committee meeting will be open for anyone to attend. Email Clay, k7cr@blarg.net, for more info.
There was a discussion on the remailer about which counties should be programmed into an EAS box. It should be all the counties in the station's coverage area.
The plan to set up an alternate studio for KIRO-AM (or any other stations still operating after a disaster) is still in the early stages. There would be a direct link from the state or county emergency management to the transmitter site that could be used if something happens to KIRO's Eastlake studio.
A survey was done recently of EAS systems around the country. There were big differences between the different states.
We are still looking for a replacement for Art Blum in the Tri Cities. We also need someone to represent the cable industry. We would like to encourage more groups (i.e.. the Wireless Industry) to participate in the SECC.
Guidelines for AMBER alerts will be presented to the AMBER Review Committee at it's next meeting. The Algona alert could be turned into a good learning experience. RACES, the amateur radio emergency communications organization, will be relaying alerts via the Amateur Radio Service. More eyes.
Ted Buehner of NOAA has made training CD's using Articulate. See
http://www.articulate.com/products/presenter.php. The finished product can be distributed on a CD, web site, etc. It works with any operating system. There is a possibility it could be used for AMBER training.
The situation at the Kitsap DEM and their lack of response was discussed. Since the meeting, the problem has been resolved. The local chair involved was advised to bring problems to the SECC and/or Don Miller because that is where the leverage lies.
We are now in the initial roll out of the CAP system. Systems using CAP are being developed now. Some states have no distribution system, so they are being encourage to set them up. Will the new CAP boxes be installed at the National Weather Service? Getting permission could be a problem. The state would like to do all four local offices. Ted is working on it.
Seattle's new Emergency Operations Center sent an errant RMT. They were troubleshooting a problem when they sent it out. An hour later Island County also sent an unscheduled RMT. It appears to be human error. This caused problems for some stations.
The March RMT in Franklin County had noisy audio. Mark Kennedy will investigate and Don will have someone look at their ENDEC.
Don is working towards putting all the counties on the new IP based EAS system.
A new chair is needed in the North Puget Sound local area.
The TOE code should be used for 911 center overloads. A new code is a major change. The TOE code can be used for any type of 911 outage.
FIPS codes for cities was discussed. The EAS boxes are limited to county FIPS codes. City FIPS codes exist, but have not been used for EAS purposes. The FIPS codes actually pre-date EAS.
The structure of the SECC was discussed again. There is a lack of a formal organizational structure. Who would vote if there was a contentious and/or controversial issue? One side of an issue could stack the committee. Idaho has gone through a similar process. Clay has distributed a preliminary draft bylaw based on the Idaho document. It will be discussed at the next meeting. Comments and suggestions are encouraged. Please use the remailer so everyone can discuss them.
At the National Weather Service, the new weather radio station on the Upper Cowlitz is progressing. Audio will be fed by phone line to Chehalis and then by Lewis County's microwave to the transmitter site.
Activation of EAS by the National Weather Service for a major wind storm is a possibility. Possible criteria are wetness of the soil, location, first blow of the season, leaves or not, wind speed, and more. This will be discussed at the next meeting.
The Centralia flood warning activation was discussed. Why did several stations not receive it when they are receiving RWT's? The local college station received and sent it okay.
Tsunami Advisories were discussed. See
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/sew/tsunmiday.php for more information. The NWS will not activate EAS for an advisory.
Mark Allen reported on the new AMBER Alert legislation. It will increase the penalty for false abduction reports to a Class C felony. This is considered a serious matter.
At the FCC, Kris reminds TV broadcasters that they are required to carry EAS messages on all their program streams. A new engineer starts soon at the local office.
TFT power supplies are available from Newark. See http://www.newark.com/.
The next meeting is May 14 at Camp Murray at 9:30 AM. Due to a new security regimen, allow extra time to clear the gate.
Terry Spring
Chief Engineer
KWPX Seattle
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