[EAS] We need your help regarding your recent post to the EAS

[Alfred.Kenyon at dhs.gov]

>I never did understand the reason(s) why these circuits were removed. 
>Something about saving money, but there was deafening silence when pressed for more info. 

Don Heppelmann
SECC Minnesota

Don,

I'm sure that you are not the only one that wondered what happened to the Emergency Activation Network.  Since this list cannot accommodate PDF documents I did an OCR conversion of the 1995 Presidential Statement of Requirements attached in its entirety.  You should consider that this document was drafted 16 years ago, when most broadcast networks had migrated to satellite distribution from AT&T long lines which may have been a contributing factor by eliminating a common distribution element.  (Although occasional issues at the ABC networks Vernon Valley uplink were a major irritant at times as I recall from the early days of their satellite distribution.)

Al

*************

THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 15, 1995

MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR, FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
SUBJECT:        Emergency Alert System (EAS) Statement of
Requirements
I hereby approve the attached "Presidential Communications with the General Public During Periods of National Emergency."

William J. Clinton 
(signature)

 
1995
PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS
With the General Public
During Periods of National Emergency
STATEMENT OF REQUIREMENTS

1. INTRODUCTION.

During periods of extreme national emergency, reliable communications are required to enable the President to reassure and give direction to the American people. Consequently, there, is a continuing requirement for a national-level communications capability to serve Presidential needs. This Statement of Requirements provides Presidential guidance to the Federal and civil telecommunications communities concerning emergency communications support required during a catastrophic national emergency.

II. THREAT.

The threat of nuclear confrontation is currently low and expected to remain so; however, this threat is constantly evolving and could re-emerge at some point in the future. While the threat of nuclear confrontation has decreased, threats emanating from the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction are on the rise. These threats pose potentially serious national risks.

III, DEFINITIONS.

A.      President: The incumbent or Constitutional/statutory successor.

B.      Emergency Alert System (EAS): The system (formerly referred to as the Emergency Broadcast System) of broadcast networks; cable networks and program suppliers; AM, FM and TV broadcast stations; cable systems; low power TV stations; and other entities and industries that have agreed to operate on an organized basis during emergencies at the national, state, and local levels.

C.      Emergency Action Notification (EAN) Network: The dedicated communications system which links the Federal Government to the industry control points (i.e., national broadcast networks, wire services and national cable program suppliers). The EAN network is used to disseminate Presidential messages.
 
D.      National Emergency Information Programming: Official United States Government emergency information authorized for release by the President or designated representative (also see III, J. Priority Four).

E.      Primary Entry Point (PEP) System: Key broadcast stations throughout the U.S. and federal government activation points having the ability to provide emergency information to over 95% of the American populace. The broadcast stations are now designated as National Primary stations. This system constitutes the focal point of the national-level EAS.

F.      Telecommunications Industry: Radio and television networks and stations, national and local cable systems, wire services, and common carriers.

G.      Priority One: Presidential messages (activated only by the President).

H.      Priority Two: Local area programming (activated by local government officials, or designated representatives).

L Priority Three: State programming (activated by the Governor, or designated representatives).

J. Priority Four: National emergency information programming (activated by the President or his/her designated representative).

IV. ASSUMPTIONS.

A.      The Presidents daily access to the media is considered very reliable under all but the most severe conditions (e.g., strategic nuclear attack).

B.      During the majority of national emergencies, the EAS will satisfy Presidential requirements to communicate with the American people.

C.      The privately owned and operated facilities of the telecommunications industry will continue to be the mainstay of the EAS.

D.      Use of Federal telecommunications facilities will continue to be minimal.

E.      The current Federal and civil austere funding environments will continue into the foreseeable future, and will dictate development, implementation and sustainment of viable EAS capabilities at the lowest possible cost.
 
V. REQUIREMENTS.

A. The President must have access to the EAS from anywhere and at any time.

B. National-level (Priority One) EAS activation for audio message broadcasts
will occur within ten (10) minutes upon receipt of Presidential notification.

C. The EAS must have the capability to transmit National Emergency Information Programming.

D. The national-level EAS must be:

1.      Developed, maintained, and enhanced in a cost effective fashion, by cooperative Government and industry initiatives.

2.      Fully integrated from the national to local level, yet capable of independent local (Priority Two), and State (Priority Three) operations.

3.      Guided by Federally-chartered committees.

E. The national level EAS will be configured to provide a high probability of assurance that at least a portion of the total system will be available for Presidential use under the most severe conditions.

F. Initial Presidential messages will be transmitted live; however, recorded Presidential messages may be transmitted in lieu of live transmissions, when necessary.

G. Activation of the national-level EAS rests solely with the President.

H. Once activated, the national level EAS will preempt all other operations or commercial programming until such time as the President terminates national-level EAS operations.

I. Once the national-level, EAS is activated and the President has finished using the system, the EAS must provide for the distribution of National Emergency Information Programming (Priority Four). The Director, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is authorized to release National Emergency Information Programming messages.

J. The national-level EAS will be maintained as a contingency system only.
 
VI. CONCEPT.

In response to identified Presidential requirements, a national-level contingency telecommunications system (e.g., EAS) is required to allow the President to speak to the American people under all emergency circumstances. This system must be available to the President at all times, and configured to reach the broadest possible audience.

The system will be based upon Federal requirements, plans, procedures, and controls. However, the backbone of this system will be the existing civil telecommunications infrastructure at the time of an emergency. The Primary Entry Point (PEP) system is the cornerstone for the national-level EAS.

Transmission of a Presidential request for national-level EAS will be conducted by the White House Communications Agency, or another authorized element within the Executive Office of the President.

VII. RESPONSIBILITIES.

The following are essential responsibilities:

A.      The White House Military Office (WHMO) shall provide operational oversight for the national-level EAS.

B.      FEMA shall:

1. Act as WHMO's Executive Agent for the development, operations and maintenance of the national-level EAS;

2.      Bring the PEP system up to full operational capability and ensure compatibility with the state and local EAS.

3.      Phase out the dedicated circuitry and associated equipment of the Emergency Action Notification (EAN) network and incorporate the network nodes into the national-level EAS as required.

4.      Prepare guidance concerning the definition and use of Priority Four, and enhance procedures to disseminate National Emergency Information Programming.

5.      Conduct tests and exercises.

6.      Ensure the national-level EAS keeps pace with emerging technologies through the use of low-cost innovative techniques.

C. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) shall oversee development of all plans relating to emergency use of non-government communications systems.

D. FEMA and the FCC shall collectively:

1.      Determine technical arrangements that are essential to the development, implementation, operations, sustainment, and readiness of the national-level EAS.

2.      Support recommendations of the EAS National Advisory Committee, the Primary Entry Point Advisory Committee, and other appropriate forums.

E. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shall continue to work with FEMA, FCC and State and local government officials in the development of the State and local EAS.

The President greatly appreciates the voluntary cooperative efforts of the telecommunications industry in the development and operation of a viable EAS.