Communicating During Emergencies

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Communicating During Emergencies
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Emergency Warning - EAS and TV Updates
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The Emergency Alert System and Accessibility
In the event of an emergency, many people stay tuned to local radio and/or television stations to receive updates on what is happening and what to do.
There is a nationwide broadcast system in place for national disaster or other large-scale disasters. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) provides not only the President, but national, state, and local authorities, with the ability to give emergency information to the general public via broadcast, cable and wireless cable systems.
All broadcast stations and cable systems are required to broadcast emergency alerts and messages for national security emergencies initiated by the President.
Broadcast stations and cable systems are not required to broadcast EAS alerts and messages initiated by state and local authorities, but the FCC encourages broadcast licensees and cable operators to transmit emergency alerts as a public service. Information about local natural disasters is often broadcast via EAS.
All EAS broadcasts should be accessible by audio and visual means, or simply visual means, including closed-captioning, open-captioning, crawls or scrolls. Exception: If your local television/radio tower or studio is damaged during a natural disaster like a tornado, you may not receive the signal.
Accessibility of Emergency Information
Because broadcast stations and cable systems are not required to broadcast EAS alerts and messages initiated by state and local authorities, the FCC has separate requirements to meet the needs of persons with disabilities in cases of local emergencies. The FCC requires that any information that is intended to further the protection of life, health, safety, or property, such as immediate weather situations, civil disorders, evacuation orders, school closings, relief assistance, etc., be accessible to persons with disabilities. These rules apply to all local broadcasters, cable operators, and satellite television services. There are no exemptions to these rules and they apply any time emergency information is provided. Critical details about the emergency must be provided in a visual format, such as open captions, scrolls, or even hand-lettered signs. The critical details must also be provided in an aural format. If crawls or scrolls are provided during regular programming, an aural tone is required to indicate to persons who are blind or who have low vision that emergency information is being provided.
last reviewed/updated on 09/01/04
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