EAS EAS History and Legislation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What significant EAS policy change did the FCC make in 2007 regarding cable systems?
- Required cable systems to carry EAS alerts on all channels, not just local access channels (Correct answer)
- Exempted cable systems from EAS requirements
- Required cable systems to install IPAWS-compatible equipment
- Mandated that cable systems originate their own local alerts
Correct answer: Required cable systems to carry EAS alerts on all channels, not just local access channels
In 2007, the FCC updated EAS rules to require cable systems to carry EAS alerts on all channels simultaneously, greatly expanding the reach of emergency messages to cable subscribers.
Question 2: When did FEMA launch the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS)?
- 2005
- 2006
- 2008 (Correct answer)
- 2010
Correct answer: 2008
FEMA launched IPAWS in 2008 to create a modernized, internet-based alert aggregation and distribution system connecting government alerting authorities with EAS, WEA, and other delivery channels.
Question 3: What major event in 2001 led to accelerated modernization of the nation's emergency alert infrastructure?
- The September 11 terrorist attacks (Correct answer)
- The anthrax mail attacks
- Hurricane Katrina
- The Northeast blackout
Correct answer: The September 11 terrorist attacks
The September 11, 2001 attacks demonstrated the need for a more robust national alerting system and spurred development of IPAWS and modernization of EAS.
Question 4: What was the 'Presidential Alert' test sent to all U.S. cell phones in October 2018?
- The first national test of the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system for Presidential-level messages (Correct answer)
- A test of the FEMA IPAWS system only
- A Required Monthly Test conducted via cellular networks
- A demonstration of new EAS encoder technology
Correct answer: The first national test of the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system for Presidential-level messages
The October 3, 2018 'Presidential Alert' was the first nationwide test of the WEA system's ability to deliver Presidential-level messages to all compatible cell phones simultaneously.
Question 5: Which legislation established requirements for commercial mobile alert systems following Hurricane Katrina?
- Warning, Alert, and Response Network (WARN) Act of 2006 (Correct answer)
- Homeland Security Act of 2002
- Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act
- National Emergencies Act of 1976
Correct answer: Warning, Alert, and Response Network (WARN) Act of 2006
The WARN Act of 2006 was passed in response to communication failures during Hurricane Katrina, establishing requirements for commercial mobile alert systems and expanding WEA.
Question 6: In what year did the FCC first require EAS decoders to be capable of receiving CAP-formatted alerts via IPAWS?
- 2012 (Correct answer)
- 2008
- 2015
- 2010
Correct answer: 2012
The FCC required EAS Participants to install IPAWS-capable (CAP-compatible) equipment by June 2012, enabling stations to receive richer digital alerts from FEMA's IPAWS system.
EAS EAS History and Legislation 2
What significant EAS policy change did the FCC make in 2007 regarding cable systems?