§ 74.21   Broadcasting emergency information.

   (a) In an emergency where normal communication facilities have been
   disrupted or destroyed by storms, floods or other disasters, the
   stations licensed under this part may be operated for the purpose of
   transmitting essential communications intended to alleviate distress,
   dispatch aid, assist in rescue operations, maintain order, or otherwise
   promote the safety of life and property. In the course of such
   operation, a station of any class may communicate with stations of
   other classes and in other services. However, such operation shall be
   conducted only on the frequency or frequencies for which the station is
   licensed and the used power shall not exceed the maximum authorized in
   the station license. When such operation involves the use of
   frequencies shared with other stations, licensees are expected to
   cooperate fully to avoid unnecessary or disruptive interference.

   (b) Whenever such operation involves communications of a nature other
   than those for which the station is licensed to perform, the licensee
   shall, at the earliest practicable time, notify the FCC in Washington,
   DC of the nature of the emergency and the use to which the station is
   being put and shall subsequently notify the same offices when the
   emergency operation has been terminated.

   (c) Emergency operation undertaken pursuant to the provisions of this
   section shall be discontinued as soon as substantially normal
   communications facilities have been restored. The Commission may at any
   time order discontinuance of such operation.

   (Secs. 4, 5, 303, 48 Stat., as amended, 1066, 1068, 1082 (47 U.S.C.
   154, 155, 303))

   [ 28 FR 13706 , Dec. 14, 1963, as amended at  37 FR 25843 , Dec. 5, 1972;
    44 FR 65765 , Nov. 15, 1979;  47 FR 40175 , Sept. 13, 1982]

   return arrow Back to Top