SBE Chapter 56 Meeting Minutes for July 26, 2016
OETS Studios – Tulsa, Oklahoma
Following lunch which was provided by Brian Gleason from Imagine Communications, Chapter Chairman Don Dobbs called the meeting it order. We had 16members and guests attend this month’s meeting.
The minutes of the last meeting were posted on the chapter website and were approved as posted
Treasurer’s Report – The chapter Checking account balance was $3892.76.
Frequency Coordination – Above 1GHz , No Report
Frequency Coordination – Below 1GHZ, Nothing to report
Certification Report – No Report
EAS Report – Deferred until program part of meeting
Old Business – None
Adjournment – Adjourned meeting and went into the program session
Program – This month’s theme was EAS Rules: A Work In Progress. Presented by our own Chapter Vice Chairman – Roger Herring The State EAS Coordinator
The Federal Communications Commission has taken important steps to improve the operation and exercise of the Emergency Alert System (EAS), and reaffirm the FCC’s commitment to ensuring that all Americans have access to timely and accurate emergency alerts. Our rules governing these alerts must continue to evolve as legacy networks and services transition to next generation technologies. Our actions are guided by lessons learned from the local, regional and nationwide EAS tests, and will help facilitate the use of the EAS in a way that maximizes its overall effectiveness as a public warning and alert system.
The Commission has formally opened up its new EAS Test Reporting System (ETRS), which means that we have until August 26, 2016 to get into the site and complete Form One. And while you’re at it, you might also want to take a look at the draft of a new and improved 2016 EAS Operating Handbook that the Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council (CSRIC) has developed. It’s still a work in progress, and we may have more questions than answers.
While details remain sketchy, Sept. 28 has been slated for the second national test of the Emergency Alert System by FEMA. Broadcasters and other EAS participants should begin preparing because the FCC’s new electronic EAS Test Reporting System (ETRS) will be in place for the first time, enabling the commission to automatically assess the success.