[EAS] Blue Alerts Are Back

[Sean Donelan]

On Fri, 19 May 2017, Dave Kline wrote:
> Unless the laws are changed to require carriage of these alerts, like is the case with an EAN or tests, nobody has to do anything.
> If a station chooses to carry the alert as a public service, then that's up to them.
> No one is required to carry a CAE, how is this different?

If you recall, before 2002-2004, Amber Alerts were sent as CEM, when 
they were sent at all.

One of the reasons for adding a distinct code for Child Abductions/Amber 
alerts was broadcasters wanted the flexibility to carry or not, without 
other Civil Emergency Messages (CEM).  It was still voluntary whether 
broadcasters carried Amber Alerts or updated their EAS equipment.

Its also voluntary whether broadcasters update their EAS equipment with 
the Exterme Wind Warning/Storm Surge event codes added last year.