Georgia’s radio and television stations are our state’s first line of emergency notification, whether the situation involves severe weather, civil defense, missing persons, or law enforcement emergencies.

The Georgia Association of Broadcasters, with member input, worked with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency/GEMA and created Georgia’s Emergency Alert System. GAB serves as a clearinghouse for all technical, operational and testing information concerning Emergency Systems in Georgia.

GAB has worked closely with our partners at GEMA, GBI, NOAA, GPB and the Governor’s Office to ensure that Georgia’s EAS plan is easy to follow for broadcasters.

The GAB, in a partnership with GEMA and GBI has created a State of Georgia Emergency Alert System (EAS) plan which outlines procedures.

Through the GAB, you are also able to join our AlertNewsNet service, which disseminates timely information via email on missing persons including images. To join this list, contact GAB.

EAS Monthly Tests

Statewide tests of the Emergency Alert System will be conducted as prescribed by the FCC and the Georgia EAS Plan.

Tests will be between:

  • 8:00pm and sunrise in even months
  • 8:00am and sunset in odd months

Stations do not have to run a weekly test in those weeks with RMT.

Tests will be conducted on the THIRD WEDNESDAY of the month at the times listed below.  All stations should receive the test no later than THIRTY minutes following the time listed.

ALL STATIONS MUST FORWARD A REQUIRED MONTHLY TEST WITHIN 15 MINUTES OF RECEIPT PER FCC RULES (Part 11).

2023 EAS Schedule

DATE TIME
January 18 11:45 AM
February 15 10:45 PM
March 15 12:45 PM
April 19 12:45 AM
May 17 1:45 PM
June 21 1:45 AM
July 19 2:45 PM
August 16 2:45 AM
September 20 3:45 PM
October 18 3:45 AM
November 15 4:45 PM
December 20 4:45 AM
On the week that there is a monthly test, no weekly test is required.

2023 EAS Handbook

Download the Handbook

As noted in the FCC EAS rule Part 11.15: “A copy of the Handbook must be located at normal duty positions or EAS equipment locations when an operator is required to be on duty and be immediately available to staff responsible for authenticating messages and initiating actions.”

Testing Details

All participating broadcast stations must conduct tests of the Emergency Alert System at regular intervals, as specified in FCC rules and regulations. Additional tests may be performed at any time, and activations or special tests may be performed in lieu of required tests.

WEEKLY TESTS-Origination

All broadcast stations must originate at least one test each week (RWT), consisting of the Header Codes and the EOM Codes. These tests must be conducted at random days and times. If a station is unable to originate a RWT, an explanation must be made in the station records.

RECEPTION

All stations must successfully decode at least one RWT from each monitored source each week. There must be one test from the monitored LP-1 station and one test from the monitored LP-2 station, plus one test from the IPAWS CAP source. If a station fails to receive any of these tests, the station is required to investigate the cause and make appropriate entries in the station records.

MONTHLY TESTS

All stations are required to forward one test each month (RMT). These tests are originated at the state level, and consist of the Header Codes, Attention Signal, Test Script, and EOM Codes. These tests must be forwarded within 60 minutes of being received. If a station fails to receive a monthly test, the cause must be determined and appropriate entries must be made in the station records. A weekly test is not required during the same week that a monthly test is conducted.

National Tests

National tests will be scheduled by the FCC in consultation with FEMA. Stations will be notified at least two months prior to a scheduled national test, and all stations must relay the test. The results of this test must be logged and provided to the FCC within 45 days following the test. This test will replace the Required Weekly Test and Required Monthly test in the week and month in which it occurs.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) has announced that it will not conduct a national test of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (“IPAWS”) via the broadcast Emergency Alert System (“EAS”) and Wireless Emergency Alert (“WEA”) system this year. Dated: (6/23/2020)

 

Please contact our office if you have any questions.

ACTIVATIONS

The EAS may be activated for emergencies or special tests at the state or local level, instead of the weekly or monthly tests. To qualify as a monthly test, the activation must include Header Codes, Attention Signal, Emergency Message, and EOM Codes and comply with visual message requirements. To qualify as a weekly test, the activation must include Header Codes and EOM Codes.

SUMMARY

Weekly:

  • Originate at least one RWT
  • Receive at least one RWT from LP-1
  • Receive at least one RWT from LP-2
  • Receive at least one RWT from IPAWS

Monthly:

  • Receive and Forward RMT from GEMA
  • Anyone interested in more details about the EAS can refer to the 47 CFR 11 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
  • Questions about your station(s) EAS responsibilities?  Call GAB at 770-395-7200 today.