Most
people are familiar with the Emergency Alert System
because of test broadcasts that interrupt their favorite
radio station programming or TV show with jarring tones
and the announcement "This is a test."
While
those interruptions can be inconvenient, they are
important and can carry lifesaving warnings about
hazardous conditions in the local broadcast area.
EAS is
designed to allow government authorities to notify the
public of impending emergencies via voluntary
cooperation of the broadcast media. The federal
government requires broadcast stations to carry
announcements by the president during times of national
emergency, but all other EAS functions are voluntary,
carried out as part of the industry's public service
effects.
Many
broadcast stations and all cable TV systems today are
automated and designed for unattended operation. EAS is
designed to operate using automated equipment. Those
tones that start and end each message are designed to
get the attention of human listeners, but also to
trigger EAS receivers and relay the message.
As
indicated above, the National Weather Service is the
most frequent user of EAS. That is appropriate because
most of the potential emergencies in Washington are
weather-related. Severe winter storms, floods, and
thunderstorms, can be life threatening and the weather
service (link to weather section) can provide advance
warning. But EAS could be used with any type of natural
or manmade emergency.
The
newest use for EAS is for child abduction emergencies,
known in many states as Amber Alerts. Child abduction
alerts are intended to enlist the public's help in
locating a kidnapped child in cases where the child's
life is believed to be in danger. There is specific
criteria which must be met before an Amber Alert can be
issued. In a child abduction case, the request to use
the system must come from the investigating police
department and be approved by the Washington State
Patrol.
Local Radio Stations which participate in
the EAS
|
Moses Lake |
Ephrata
|
Quincy |
|
KDRM FM
KBSN AM
KWIQ FM
KWIQ AM |
99.3
1470
100.3
1020 |
KULE FM
KULE AM
|
92.3
730 |
KWWW FM
KWNC AM
|
96.7
1370 |
Spanish Radio Stations which participate
in the EAS
|
Royal City/Othello |
Quincy |
|
|
KRCW FM KWLN FM
KRSC AM |
96.3
103.3
1400 |
KZML FM
KWNC AM |
95.9
1370 |
|
