On September 30, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) formally adopted the new digital Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) standard for Emergency Alert System (EAS) messages. This action moves the ball forward towards implementation of an Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), which intends to extend EAS warnings to other communications avenues, including cell phones.

This action also starts a 180-day clock for broadcasters to install or upgrade new equipment as needed to be able to receive CAP-formatted messages. Many EAS participants are concerned that the current deadline of March 29, 2011, may not allow sufficient time for the production, testing, distribution and installation of the new EAS equipment. As a result, NAB has joined with representatives of state broadcasters associations, public radio and public television, cable operators and others to request that the FCC extend this deadline. Click here to read the petition. Please continue to watch NAB’s newsletters for further developments on this request.