A coalition of broadcasters and cable operators, led by NAB and 46 state broadcasters associations, have petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to extend the deadline by which participants in the Emergency Alert System (EAS) must be able to receive EAS alerts formatted in the new Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) standard recently adopted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

CAP is a new general format (i.e., computer language) that enables the simultaneous dissemination of emergency alerts and public warnings over all kinds of networks and systems. Under the current rules, EAS participants have 180 days (or until March 29, 2011) to comply with CAP. The coalition explained that this deadline is impractical given all the equipment testing and budget planning that must be completed before companies can purchase and install the needed new equipment.

The coalition also noted that the FCC has an ongoing proceeding concerning its Part 11 rules governing EAS that could affect the manufacture and selection of equipment. Therefore, the coalition asked the FCC to extend the deadline by six months to September 30, 2011, or consider other appropriate relief such as a longer extension or tolling the 180-day clock until the FCC has completed its own CAP-related equipment certification process and has resolved the Part 11 rulemaking proceeding.

Joining NAB and the named state associations in the coalition are the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, Society of Broadcast Engineers, American Cable Association, Association for Maximum Service Television, National Public Radio, Association of Public Television Stations and the Public Broadcasting Service.