The Emergency Alert System is a national public warning system that requires TV and radio broadcasters, cable television systems, wireless cable systems, satellite digital audio radio service providers, direct broadcast satellite service providers and wireline video service providers to offer to the President the communications capability to address the American public during a national emergency. As outlined below, the system also may be used by state and local authorities to deliver important emergency information such as AMBER (missing children) alerts and emergency weather information targeted to a specific area.
Below is a collection of EAS information that we believe you will find useful:
Local
The updated Washington Metropolitan EAS Plan was approved by the FCC effective June 1, 2023. It includes monthly test dates and times for 2024. Please check here from time to time to keep up-to-date on any changes.
If you represent an operational EAS entity in the Washington, DC area, it may be beneficial to participate in our moderated EAS e-mail discussion list. For information on subscribing, please send us an e-mail with your name and the organization that you represent.
Test Dates
Washington DC National Capital Region EAS RMT Schedule 2024
| Date | Time | Originator |
| 24-Jan-2024 | 10:47 AM | WTOP(FM) 103.5 MHz |
| 21-Feb-2024 | 2:47 AM | WTOP(FM) 103.5 MHz |
| 20-Mar-2024 | 11:47 AM | WTOP(FM) 103.5 MHz |
| 24-Apr-2024 | 3:47 AM | WTOP(FM) 103.5 MHz |
| 22-May-2024 | 10:47 AM | WTOP(FM) 103.5 MHz |
| 19-Jun-2024 | 2:47 AM | WTOP(FM) 103.5 MHz |
| 24-Jul-2024 | 11:47 AM | WTOP(FM) 103.5 MHz |
| 21-Aug-2024 | 3:47 AM | WTOP(FM) 103.5 MHz |
| 18-Sep-2024 | 10:47 AM | WTOP(FM) 103.5 MHz |
| 23-Oct-2024 | 2:47 AM | WTOP(FM) 103.5 MHz |
| 20-Nov-2024 | 11:47 AM | WTOP(FM) 103.5 MHz |
| 18-Dec-2024 | 3:47 AM | WTOP(FM) 103.5 MHz |
National
The FCC provides a number of EAS tools. Visit the FCC’s EAS Page for more information. Notably, the FCC adopted rules requiring broadcasters, cable operators and other multi-channel video programming distributors to make local emergency information accessible to viewers with hearing disabilities. The order calls for local programmers to use closed-captioning, open captioning, crawls, scrolls or some other visual technique to provide information on emergencies, including weather conditions, areas affected, evacuation orders, approved shelters, road closures and school closings, among other things. “This is really a matter of life and death for millions of Americans who are deaf or hearing-impaired,” FCC Chairman Kennard said.
Manufacturers
Manufacturers of EAS equipment are also a good source of data. TFT and Sage Alerting Systems provide several documents that apply to EAS in general and their EAS units in particular. Additionally, EAS information is offered by MTS, Monroe Electronics, HollyAnne and Gorman-Redlich for their respective EAS products.
Yes, EAS is still experiencing severe growing pains throughout the country. The FCC may be considering several changes in the EAS protocol. You MUST let your state coordinator and the FCC know when you have a problem. If you rebroadcast something, such as a state monthly test that you think was improperly executed, be sure to log the discrepancy to protect yourself if someone complains later or your logs are reviewed.