§  11.52   EAS code and Attention Signal Monitoring requirements.

   (a) EAS Participants must be capable of receiving the Attention Signal
   required by § 11.32(a)(9) and emergency messages of other broadcast
   stations during their hours of operation. EAS Participants must install
   and operate during their hours of operation, equipment capable of
   receiving and decoding, either automatically or manually, the EAS
   header codes, emergency messages and EOM code. EAS Participants must
   comply with these requirements by the dates set forth in § 11.11.

   Note to Paragraph (a): The two-tone Attention Signal will not be used
   to actuate two-tone decoders but will be used as an aural alert signal.

   (b) If manual interrupt is used as authorized in § 11.51(m)(2), decoders
   must be located so that operators at their normal duty stations can be
   alerted immediately when EAS messages are received.

   (c) EAS Participants that are co-owned and co-located with a combined
   studio or control facility (such as an AM and FM licensed to the same
   entity and at the same location or a cable headend serving more than
   one system) may comply with the EAS monitoring requirements contained
   in this section for the combined station or system with one EAS
   Decoder. The requirements of § 11.33 must be met by the combined
   facility.

   (d) EAS Participants must monitor two EAS sources. The monitoring
   assignments of each broadcast station and cable system and wireless
   cable system are specified in the State EAS Plan and FCC Mapbook. They
   are developed in accordance with FCC monitoring priorities.

   (1) If the required EAS sources cannot be received, alternate
   arrangements or a waiver may be obtained by written request to the
   FCC's EAS office. In an emergency, a waiver may be issued over the
   telephone with a follow up letter to confirm temporary or permanent
   reassignment.

   (2) The management of EAS Participants shall determine which header
   codes will automatically interrupt their programming for State and
   Local Area emergency situations affecting their audiences.

   (e) EAS Participants are required to interrupt normal programming
   either automatically or manually when they receive an EAS message in
   which the header code contains the Event codes for Emergency Action
   Notification (EAN), Emergency Action Termination (EAT), and Required
   Monthly Test (RMT) for their State or State/county location.

   (1) Automatic interrupt of programming is required when facilities are
   unattended. Automatic operation must provide a permanent record of the
   EAS message that contains at a minimum the following information:
   Originator, Event, Location and valid time period of the message.

   (2) Manual interrupt of programming and transmission of EAS messages
   may be used. EAS messages with the EAN Event code must be transmitted
   immediately and Monthly EAS test messages within 60 minutes. All
   actions must be logged and recorded as specified in § § 11.35(a) and
   11.54(b)(13). Decoders must be programmed for the EAN and EAT Event
   header codes for National level emergencies and the RMT and RWT Event
   header codes for required monthly and weekly tests, with the
   appropriate accompanying State and State/county location codes.

   [ 70 FR 71036 , Nov. 25, 2005]