Latest EAS News...

NJSECC Meeting

On March 19,2009 the New Jersey Emergency Communications Committee met at the State EOC for its annual meeting. Along with hearing member reports the Committee listened to a presentation by Rob Sklans (Monmouth Co. Public Information Officer) and Nick Morici (NJSP Public Information Officer) on behalf of the State’s 21 county POI’s. Following the presentation, the Committee passed the following: “In consideration of the emergencies that might occur after hours during unattended station operation the following EAS activation codes are recommended for pass-through. Immediate Evacuation (EVI), Flash Flood Warning (FFW), Hazardous Materials Warning (HMW), Nuclear Power Plant Warning (NUW), Shelter In Place (SPW) and Tornado (TOR).”

The Committee also discussed the practice of many broadcast facilities to provide programming from their transmitter site in the event of a landline or STL failure from their studio. While this practice is fine for programming, broadcasters are reminded that in many installations this means that EAS audio to the transmitter will be lost. The Committee urges “Plan B” systems to incorporate EAS capability from their transmitter site.

Testing The Test

In anticipation of the June 12, 2009 transition to DTV, NJN will be conducting additional DTV EAS tests for those monitoring NJN TV for EAS purposes. Since NJN is an important part of NJ’s EAS system, broadcast stations and cable outlets monitoring NJN television for EAS should be prepared to receive the DTV EAS test. The test will come in the form of an RMT.

If you have any questions about this test please contact the NJSECC through its website.

National Emergency Alert Summit

The National Emergency Alert Summit was held in Washington, D.C. March 29-30th. Hosted by the National Alliance of State Broadcasters Association, NJBA President/CEO, Paul Rotella and NJSECC Chairman, Rich Archut represented New Jersey. This year’s summit entitled, “Emergency Response: Broadcasters Roadmap for the Future” touched on the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP), the role and future of Primary Entry Point stations and making emergency communications accessible for all Americans.

Panel discussions focused on the need to have broadcasters designated as First Responders for emergencies and various alternate means of communication when the Internet, cell phones and telephone lines go down. One solution suggested for the communication issue is to have an amateur radio receiver (or transceiver) at each broadcast facility.

Also on hand were representatives from Sage, Spectra-Rep and Warning Systems Inc.

Amber Alert Meeting

On March 5th NJSECC Chair Rich Archut called a meeting of key Amber Alert organizations after two Amber Alerts failed to be disseminated over EAS in a period covering late 2008 and early 2009. The meeting was well attended and productive with the cause of the two failed alerts corrected. The Chairman would like to thank those who dropped what they were doing to attend the meeting on short notice.

NJOEM RWT’s

All LP-1 stations equipped with NJSP 800 MHz radios should be receiving weekly EAS tests from the state EOC. The tests are usually sent on Wednesday of each week. If a week goes by and you did not receive an RWT from the state, please contact Bob Schroeder at (609) 963-6954.

Tech Tips

Now that Spring is here it’s time to check the antennas and cables connected to your EAS receiver. Winter storms and wind have been known to move antennas and corrode connections.

Also now is the time to check the oil and fluids in your emergency generator. Do you have fresh fuel and when was the last time you changed the battery on the generator or UPS? Remember diesel generators should be tested under load conditions.

How often do you check the time on your EAS unit? More and more EAS problems are found to be with clocks that are not checked. You should check the clock on your EAS unit once a week (do it as part of your weekly EAS log review).

Partnering in EAS

On December 15, 2008 New Jersey Broadcasters Association Executive Director Paul Rotella and New Jersey Emergency Communication Committee Chairman Rich Archut met with New Jersey Emergency Management (NJEOM)officials at the State Emergency Operating Center in West Trenton. This meeting was held to coordinate efforts and to discuss the future of EAS in New Jersey. Those at the table pledged to work together for the further development of EAS in the state.

Prior to this meeting Archut and Rotella meet together and with Nick Morici, Public Information Officer, NJOEM.

Testing the Test

If you are using New Jersey Network (NJN) Television as an EAS monitoring source you should have made the analog to digital switch by now. The DTV converters are easy to install and operate. Remember analog television transmissions are scheduled to cease February 17. Since NJN is an important part of NJ’s EAS system, they will conduct two RWT’s the week of January 26, 2009. The first RWT will be with the analog signal, the second test later that week will use DTV only. The DTV test is scheduled for Tuesday, January 27th at 8:59am. Broadcast stations and Cable outlets monitoring NJN television for EAS should be prepared to receive the DTV RWT that week.

If you have any questions about this test please contact the NJSECC through its website.

Important RMT Information

Due to the many broadcast stations and cable outlets covering the Presidential Inauguration on January 20th, this month’s RMT has been moved to Wednesday, January 21st at approximately 11am.

Attention NJSECC Members!

The Annual meeting of the New Jersey Emergency Communications Committee will be held Thursday, March 19 at 10 am. We will again meet in the Media Room (this is just off the lobby) at the State EOC (a.k.a. “the rock”) in West Trenton. All NJSECC members are expected to attend this meeting. Please confirm your attendance with NJSP Emergency Communications officer Bob Schroeder. He can be reached at (609) 963-6954.