Emergency Communications: The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and All-Hazard Warnings

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADA453718 | Open PDF

Abstract:

The Emergency Alert System EAS is one of several federally managed warning systems. The Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA jointly administers EAS with the Federal Communications Commission FCC, in cooperation with the National Weather Service NWS, an organization within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA. The NOAANWS weather radio system has been upgraded to an all-hazard warning capability. Ways to improve the NOAA network and the broader-based EAS are underway or are being tested. Much has been accomplished in recent years but the current hodgepodge of warning and alert systems is inadequate for fully alerting the public about terrorist attacks or natural disasters, or for providing information on how to respond. As was demonstrated on September 11, 2001, after the southeast Asian tsunami on December 26, 2004, and again when Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, the ability to communicate after a disaster also has a critical role in saving lives.

Author(s):
Moore, Linda K. ; Reese, Shawn
Author Organization(s):
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
Descriptive Note:
Congressional rept.
Supplementary Note:
CRS Report for Congress.
Pagination:
0020

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Report Number(s):
CRS-RL32527
Monitor Series:
CRS/DC
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_6_Net Centric; JCA_5.5_Direct; JCA_5.5.1_Communicate Intent and Guidance; JCA_6.1.2_Wireless Transmission; JCA_6.1.1_Wired Transmission; JCA_6.1.3_Switching and Routing; JCA_6.1_Information Transport; JCA_7.2_Mitigate; JCA_7_Protection; JCA_7.2.1_Mitigate Lethal Effects; JCA_8_Building Partnerships; JCA_8.2_Shape; JCA_5.2_Understand; JCA_5.2.3_Share Knowledge and Situational Awareness; JCA_6.4.1_Secure Information Exchange; JCA_8.2.3_Build the Capabilities and Capacities of Partners and Institutions; JCA_7.2.2_Mitigate Non-Lethal Effects; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_8.2.2_Provide Aid to Foreign Partners and Institutions; JCA_6.4_Information Assurance
Modernization Areas:
Space
Communities of Interest:
Space
Descriptor(s):
*EMERGENCIES, *WARNING SYSTEMS, CRISIS MANAGEMENT, WEATHER, NATURAL DISASTERS, HAZARDS, COMMUNICATION AND RADIO SYSTEMS, TERRORISM
Field(s)/Group(s):
Safety Engineering
Keyword(s):
EAS(EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM)
Report Date:
2005 Sep 02
Creation Date:
2006 Sep 27