National EAS Test Set for September 20; First EAS Participant Report Due August 27

The 2018 National Emergency Alert System (EAS) Test is scheduled for September 20, 2018 at 2:20 PM EDT, with a backup test date of October 3, 2018. The first-ever test of the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system, which is designed to send emergency information to mobile phones, will immediately precede the EAS Test at 2:18 PM EDT.

By August 27, 2018, all radio and television EAS Participants must submit identifying information to the FCC and file Form One in the EAS Test Reporting System (ETRS). To submit this form, EAS Participants create an “FCC Username” within the FCC’s User Registration System to access ETRS. An EAS Participant may use its FCC Username from prior EAS filings.

The ETRS database contains the following three forms to be filed by the dates indicated:

Form One: Requires information identifying the EAS Participant. EAS Participants must complete the 2018 ETRS Form One by August 27, 2018. Each EAS Participant should file a separate copy of Form One for each of its EAS decoders, EAS encoders, and units combining decoder and encoder functions.

Form Two: “Day of Test” form is used to confirm receipt of the national test signal, and must be filed by 11:59 PM EDT on September 20, 2018.

Form Three: Requires EAS Participants to submit detailed information regarding their receipt of the national alert, including any difficulties receiving or passing along the national EAS alert during the test. Form Three must be filed by November 5, 2018.

If you have questions about the upcoming National EAS Test or the required ETRS filings, please contact any attorney in our office.