General EAS Information:

EAS Participants are responsible for ensuring that EAS Encoders, EAS Decoders and Attention Signal generating and receiving equipment used as part of the EAS are installed so that the monitoring and transmitting functions are available during the times the stations and systems are in operation.  

If the EAS Encoder or EAS Decoder becomes defective, the EAS Participant may operate without the defective equipment pending its repair or replacement for 60 days without further FCC authority. Entries shall be made in the broadcast station log showing the date and time the equipment was removed and restored to service.

For personnel training purposes, the required monthly test script must still be transmitted even though the equipment for generating the EAS message codes, Attention Signal and EOM (end of message) code is not functioning.  If repair or replacement of defective equipment is not completed within 60 days, an informal request shall be submitted to the District Director of the FCC field office serving the area in which the EAS Participant is located for additional time to repair the defective equipment. This request must explain what steps have been taken to repair or replace the defective equipment, the alternative procedures being used while the defective equipment is out of service, and when the defective equipment will be repaired or replaced.

Monthly tests must be retransmitted within 60 minutes of receipt by EAS Participants. Analog and digital AM, FM, and TV broadcast stations must conduct tests of the EAS header and EOM codes at least once a week at random days and times.

EAS Participants must determine the cause of any failure to receive the required tests or activations and appropriate entries indicating reasons why any tests were not received must be made in the broadcast station log for all broadcast streams. Automatic interrupt of programming and transmission of EAS messages are required when facilities are unattended.

Broadcast personnel should review the EAS Rules to insure that your station is operating in compliance with the EAS regulations.  

FOR MORE FEDERAL EAS INFO PLEASE CLICK HERE

FOR THE VERMONT EAS PLAN, CLICK HERE

VERMONT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

VERMONT AMBER ALERT PROGRAM

VERMONT AMBER CHILD ABDUCTION ALERTS can only be issued at the direction of the Vermont State Police Watch Commander and will originate from Vermont Emergency Management via the State EAS Network. 

An AMBER ALERT will only be issued if a child is seventeen (17) years of age or under and the law enforcement agency believes his/her life is in imminent danger.  AN AMBER ALERT is NOT for missing children or a child involved in a custody dispute.  

When the event is over, an “AMBER CANCELLATION” will be issued, using the same Vermont State Police procedures, if the child is released from danger within the first few hours of the AMBER ACTIVATION.  

IF YOU RECEIVE AN AMBER ALERT:  EVERY STATION SHOULD RE-TRANSMIT EVERY AMBER ACTIVATION and THE AMBER CANCELLATION IMMEDIATELY.  (The instructions for re-transmitting an “AMBER ALERT” would probably be the same procedure your station follows for re-transmitting an EAS Required Monthly Test (RMT).

AMBER ALERT broadcasts will be issued several times during the first two hours. Every AMBER EAS broadcast should be re-transmitted on your station(s) as each could include additional or up-dated information.  A new AMBER ACTIVATION may be re-issued, if warranted. (An example of a “Re-issued AMBER ACTIVATION” might include a sighting in a different region and/or a transfer of the child to a different vehicle.)   An AMBER ACTIVATION will SELF-CANCEL after a six hour period has elapsed.

During AMBER ALERTS, a telephone number will be transmitted (within the EAS message) for the public to call with information of any “sightings”.  

Station personnel should also monitor their station’s fax machine and E-mail for photos or other information, which may not have been included in the EAS AMBER information.

AMBER ACTIVATIONS are voluntary, however all radio & television air staff should keep in mind most Vermont stations are unattended after normal business hours, and therefore the public can only rely on information relayed by the Vermont EAS Network.

FORWARDING ALL AMBER INFORMATION VIA EAS, IS THE ONLY WAY EVERY RADIO AND TELEVISION STATION CAN PARTICIPATE AND THEREFORE PROVIDE MAXIMUM EFFORT IN LOCATING AN ABDUCTED CHILD.

For additional information of Vermont Amber Alerts, click here 

Vermont’s Blue Alert system is designed to rapidly disseminate information to the public when a law enforcement officer has been seriously injured, killed, or is missing in the line of duty warranting concern for the officer’s safety, and the suspect(s) involved have fled and pose an imminent threat to the public or other law enforcement officers.

Vermont Blue Alert uses a broad definition of a law enforcement officer to include police officers and also members of the Judicial Branch such as judges and prosecutors, members of Corrections and of Probation and Parole. This will include all members in the law enforcement community from federal, state and local governments.

Like Vermont’s AMBER Alert system, a Vermont Blue Alert can only be issued at the direction of the Vermont State Police Watch Commander and will originate from Vermont Emergency Management via the State EAS Network,  Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS), VT-Alert Everbridge System and all state controlled digital message boards (VT Lottery & VT AOT). When activated, the Vermont Blue Alert network disseminates messages via traditional media, email, text messages, phone calls, roadside signs, lottery signs and various public social media outlets. All test messaging will lead with the following: “This is a TEST of the Vermont BLUE Alert Notification system. Only a Test.” When the event is over, a “BLUE CANCELLATION” will be issued, using the same Vermont State Police procedures.

BLUE ACTIVATIONS are voluntary, however all radio & television air staff should keep in mind most Vermont stations are unattended after normal business hours, and therefore the public can only rely on information relayed by the Vermont EAS Network.