[EAS] FW: June 6 EAS webinar - key takeaways

[suzanne at mab.org]

Please feel free to pass this along to other interested parties. -SG
 
FEMA/FCC/NASBA/NAB "Getting Ready for CAP" webinar,June 6, 2012
Key takeaways:
 
The archived webinar will be available for about a week at http://eiip.webex.com. Click on "View Event Recordings" at upper right. The powerpoint slide deck from the complete webinar is available at http://www.easalert.org under "Archives."
 
FEMA's IPAWS "Best Practices" guide is at
http://www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/ipaws/eas_best_practices_guide.pdf
It includes a checklist for installing and setting up a new CAP-enabled EAS box, as well as specific instructions for setting up various manufacturers' products.
 
A list of CAP-enabled EAS boxes that have passed the FEMA conformity assessment is maintained at https://www.rkb.us
 
As of May 31, 2012:
24 state/local/other public safety authorities are using IPAWS
38 new applications are in process
a list is maintained at http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/authorized_localities.shtm
 
Stations are required to monitor the FEMA IPAWS feed. Stations may also be required to monitor a state or local CAP feed, if one is provided. Guidance on state monitoring assignments should be included in EAS State Plans (most of which are still in development at this writing).
 
FEMA is using a syndication format called ATOM to provide alerts and tests. Once it's properly configured, the software in your EAS box should automatically poll the IPAWS server periodically for updates.
 
FEMA sends a series of Required Weekly Test over the IPAWS system every Monday at 11:00 a.m. local time (adjusted for daylight savings time). The chart of time zones is at http://eas.radiolists.net/wp-content/uploads/FEMA-RMT-ZONES-FIPS.jpg
According to the FCC, stations should keep logs of these tests.
 
EAS Participants should check with their device manufacturers (links below) for instructions on how to access the IPAWS feed, because methods of entry and pin numbers are different for various devices.
 
Instructions for connecting your box to the IPAWS-OPEN ATOM feed:
 
DASDEC:
http://www.digitalalertsystems.com/registration_updates.html
 
Gorman-Redlich:
http://www.gorman-redlich.com/
 
Monroe OneNet:
http://www.monroe-electronics.com/EAS_pages/eas_about.htm#
 
SAGE:
http://www.sagealertingsystems.com
 
TFT:
https://demo.alertingsolutions.com/capserver/
 
Trilithic:
EASyCAST: http://eas.trilithic.com/products/easycast-encoder-decoder.html
EASyPLUS: http://eas.trilithic.com/products/easyplus-encoder-decoder.html