September 6, 2006

Present:

Terry Spring-KWPX
Tom Sharp-Pierce County DEM
Rick Kammerer-Snohomish County
Ted Buehner-NWS Seattle
DeWayne Sennett-Cingular Wireless
Brian Daly-Cingular Wireless
Clay Freinwald-Entercom
Don Miller-WA State EM
Steve Houser-FCC
Adam Martin-Bates technical College
Damer Davis-Bates
Roland Robinson-Bates
Beau Stemkamp-Bates
Joe Caron-LESA

Via phone:

Kerry Jones-NWS Spokane
Bob Wyatt- KSPS Spokane
Art Blum-KONA Tri Cities
Debbie Campesperini & Others-KPQ Wenatchee
Debbie Thomas-Cascade Radio Group Bellingham
Dennis Hull-NWS Pendleton
Dave Hollorhan-San Juan County
Don Boyd-Whatcom County Sheriff

Introductions were made. Be aware that you can make changes to your EAS mailing list subscription at EAS-WA@broadcast.net or http://www.broadcast.net/mailman/listinfo/eas-wa. This information is also on each message received from the list.

The regional EAS and AMBER meeting in Boise is on again. It is scheduled for October 4. Don and Clay plan to attend. Don is will also be attending the OASIS (the Global Standards Consortium) CAP (Common Alert Protocol) Conference in Geneva on October 19 & 20. He will report on what we are doing in the US. For more information, see http://www.oasis-open.org/events/ITU-T-OASISWorkshop2006/index.php

The discussion on local stations originating EAS Alerts during an emergency was continued. One problem is that participation in EAS is voluntary, with the exception of what is required by the FCC. Many stations are unattended and have limited or no training in EAS operation. This is also not part of the state or local plans. It was decided that local emergency managers should contact their local stations and try to work something out.

At the State Emergency Management Department, they are working on their budget. They hope to replace the current SRN with an internet system. Alerts will be able to be originated on the web. The receive boxes from Warning Systems, Inc. will cost in the $4000 to $6500 range. The use the Common Alert Protocol (CAP) and will feed the EAS boxes just like the radios do now. Text that is entered into the system can be converted to computer generated voice. It will have much more detailed information than the present system.

The proposed new Tab 8, Definitions of Event Codes, was accepted. This won't work if the boxes aren't programmed to relay these messages. Stations should check the recommended EAS programming section of the WSAB web site. www.wsab.org

There have been problems recently with RMT's not being originated. Suggestions included having the local chairs remind the originators and scheduling the tests well in advance. If the monthly test is missed, the stations need to find out why and log the reason in order to meet FCC requirements and avoid a possible fine. Originators need to know that these tests are important and that there are consequences for not doing it or not doing it correctly. More interaction between all the parties involved would be helpful. Everyone involved in the process should be subscribed to this remailer. See the first paragraph.

Clay has written a letter to broadcasters and emergency managers. Email him for a copy: cfreinwald@entercom.com

The new North Puget Sound local chair has resigned. Debbie Thomas of Cascade Radio Group in Bellingham has accepted the position. Welcome, Debbie!

There was a complaint of poor audio quality at KRLF. The problem was at the Spokane County EOC. A new employee made a mistake. The message was actually supposed to be for Pend Oreille County.

Some stations are not receiving AMBER alerts. It can depend on who is monitoring what sources. Even LP1's are not required to relay any messages other than the required ones. Everybody should be monitoring the SRN.

In Eastern Washington, no overnight tests are run due to the Hanford Tone Alert radios. They don't want to wake everyone up in the middle of the night and scare them. They modify the official state test schedule. They are now working on the 2007 schedule.

On September 13, the National Weather Service will originate the RMT in conjunction with the yearly Tsunami (Western Washington) and Earthquake (Statewide) at 10:45 AM. The Blaine weather radio station is now on the air on 162.525 mhz.

The Freeplay emergency radios were discussed. They offer several different radios and other products. See www.dixiesales.com.

Roland is working on the 2007 test schedule. He is trying to design it so it works in the Tri Cities. There are still a couple of holes in the schedule. Watch the remailer.

The next meeting will be on November 14 at 9:30 AM at the NWS offices at Sand Point. Watch the remailer for more information.

Respectfully submitted,
Terry Spring