2019 Nationwide EAS Test Report Shows Monitoring Deficiencies

The FCC Public Safety Bureau’s report Tuesday on the 2019 nationwide emergency alert system test shows the test’s largest problem was a failure to retransmit by the source stations that are monitored by other broadcasters (see 1908070074). The simulation “was successful in that it demonstrated that the nationwide broadcast-based EAS distribution system would largely perform as designed, if activated without the availability of the Internet” but also revealed some deficiencies, the report said. More than 2,600 test participants, 13.3%, reported they didn't receive a signal from their monitored sources, the report said. FCC staff found many participants included incorrect information in their filings to the emergency test reporting system, with hundreds of broadcasters giving the wrong EAS designation for their stations. The report showed participation in the test slightly increased to 78.6% from 76.3% in 2018. Radio broadcaster participation improved to 82% from 78.7% and TV increased to 68.2% from 65.5%. Participation by cable systems, IPTV and wireline video systems fell to 73.4% from 76.4%. The report also laid out the bureau's plans to address issues with the test, such as encouraging EAS participants to monitor multiple sources to reduce failures. Due to the complications with monitoring assignments and inaccurate reporting, the bureau will “engage in further analysis of the 2019 test performance” and state EAS plans, the report said. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is also taking steps to improve the test, the document said. “To ensure more accurate origination of national messages, FEMA intends to review and update its alert origination procedures, as well as conduct additional testing.”