STATE
OF WASHINGTON
EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM
Approved by the
Federal Communications Commission, March
3, 1997
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November 12 , 2009
Present: Roland Robinson-Bates Technical College; Ted Buehner-NWS Seattle; Clay Freinwald-Entercom; Alan Lentz-W7AML; Dick Pust-KGY; Don Miller-WSEM; Terry Spring-KWPX
On the phone: Elray Rasmussen-Comcast Spokane; Phil Johnson-CPS LACC; Ken Dahl-Amateur Radio; Kevin Noyes-Skagit County; Pat Anderson-Grays Harbor Radio
The meeting was called to order and introductions were made. Alan Lentz from the Radio Club of Tacoma attended. He wants to help with EAS.
The Chief of Homeland Security and the Chairman of the FCC are encouraging that FM tuners be added to cell phones to help disseminate EAS messages. Apparently this is fairly common outside the US. See http://www.radioworld.com/article/90300.
The state has started to send notification of EAS alerts and tests on the remailer. Some people find them useful, and they are no problem to send, so they will continue.
Bob Wyatt is no longer with KSPS in Spokane. He has been working in Alaska. He has been helping to rewrite the state EAS plan there. FEMA plans to run an EAN test there in January, and he is also involved in that. A replacement for him is needed in Spokane.
Bill Glen asked about the special FIPS codes for CSEPP and Energy NW. Don Miller gave an explanation of how they work.
Art Botterell is now working for FEMA/JTIC. See http://jitc.fhu.disa.mil/washops/jtcb/fema.html for an explanation of the JTIC.
The SECC still needs a cable representative.
The problems with the Howard Hanson Dam on the green river were discussed. The dam has a diminished capacity, which means it cannot control the water flows in the Green River as well as it used to. There is the potential for severe, wide-spread flooding in the Green River valley. There is one radio station in the flood plain, the KTBK night time site. Clay has been making the site as flood resistant as possible. Maps have been generated showing the extant of the flooding at different flow rates. Preparations have been made such as raising dikes and educating the public. In a major flood, large areas are likely to be closed off to the public. First responders will need credentials to access the flood areas to fill generator tanks, make repairs, etc. A major flood could cost as much as Katrina. See http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/Public_Template/Display/More_Hot_Topics.cfm?recno=77 and http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/Public_Template/Display/More_Hot_Topics.cfm?recno=76 for more information.
As a reminder, EAS tests and alerts should be forwarded as soon as possible. If a second EAS message is received before the first one is sent, the first message will be over written. If there is a major flooding event on the Green River, it is likely that EAS messages will be coming fast and furious.
The November Central Puget Sound RMT had noisy audio. It originated at Jefferson County, so it was probably distance and bad weather related. The problem will be investigated further. The October RMT didn't happen. There was a procedural error that has been addressed. The Spokane RMT had no audio. Wires were disconnected from someone's EAS box.
Some stations will use different weeks in their traffic stations. This means that you may receive no tests in a week from the station that is being monitored. Or you may receive two tests in one week.
Put an explanation in the log as you would for any other missed test or other abnormality.
The SECC is looking for approved county plans, preferably in electronic form. The plan is to have them all available in one place, possibly the WSAB web site. We will also be looking for outdated and/or missing data on the WSAB web site.
Phil Johnson has been working on the Central Puget Sound EAS plan. He will put it on the remailer for possible approval in January.
The National Weather Service is working on the flooding problem in the Green River Valley. They want to give as much warning as possible. The 2010 Tsunami test will be on September 15.
KWVE in California was hit with a fine for botching the origination of a RMT. The WSAB, and most other state broadcasting organizations, have petitioned the FCC to drop the action. this could have a chilling effect on stations voluntary participation in EAS. BREAKING NEWS: The FCC dropped the fine. The station is still planning on appealing. http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-2421A1.doc
The RMT schedule for 2010 has been distributed. It should be on the WSAB web site soon.
Make sure the time is correct on your EAS boxes. Alerts may not forward properly if the time is not right. This seems to be a problem whenever we change between daylight and standard time, as not all boxes have been upgraded for the new change dates.
Amateur radio operators helped out with Weather Radio Awareness month by programming weather radios for people. They also had a simulated emergency exercise during October.
Next year, the SECC will meet the second Wednesday of every other month. The next meeting will be on January 13 at 9:30 AM at Camp Murray.
Terry Spring
Chief Engineer
KWPX TV/DT
ION Media Networks
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