[EAS] Who and when should 000000 be used?

[Sean Donelan]

On Wed, 14 Sep 2016, Sean Donelan wrote:
> This doesn't neccessarily require a formal FCC rule, just publication of
> operating guidelines.

I used poor phrasing, let me try it again.

For predictability, and enable EAS participants to properly configure 
their decoders to operate as expected should there be published operating 
guidelines when particular codes such as 000000 could be used, and by
which originators?

For example, in some states the National Weather Service also originates 
Required Monthly Tests (RMT).  In those states, EAS participants need to 
configure their decodes to include the Org-Code for RMT to include NWS. 
In other states, the National Weather Service doesn't originate any RMTs, 
therefore participants should not configure their decoders with NWS in
the RMT section.  FEMA never originates a RMT, so EAS decoders should not 
include PEP as a valid originator.

Its not right or wrong whether NWS originates required monthly tests.  Its 
just what participants should expect, so they can configure their EAS 
devices to operate as expected.

Because this is a national EAS operational question, its actually for FEMA 
not the FCC because FEMA was assigned that role.

Should FEMA publish guidelines and guidance how it could code IPAWS, EAS 
and WEA messages so participants can configure their decoders to operate 
as expected?

Some examples

When FEMA uses 000000, what Org-Code should it use?  PEP? CIV?

When FEMA uses NIC, what Org-code could it use? What possible location 
codes could it use?

When FEMA uses RWT, what Org-code could it use? What possible location
codes could it use?

When FEMA uses something else like CDW,  what Org-code could it use? What 
possible location codes could it use?

Its not about FEMA's concept of operations; but EAS participants need to 
configure their EAS decoders.  If anyone wants EAS to be predictable or
have certainty, FEMA could start with publishing its own guidance for how 
it intends to code messages.