December 13, 1994


         FCC, NWS, AND FEMA UNVEIL THE NEW EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM

     "This is a test of the Emergency Broadcast System (EBS)."  
Soon, we will no longer hear those words because the new emergency
warning system of the 21st century has arrived.  Today, the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC), the National Weather Service
(NWS), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
introduced the new Emergency Alert System (EAS). 

     "We have now created an Emergency Alert System for the 21st
century," said FCC Chairman Reed Hundt.  "This new system will work
with all the new technologies of the information superhighway. 
Broadcast, cable, satellite and other communications media can
deliver entertainment, education and now, lifesaving emergency
information."

     So you rarely watch TV or turn on your radio?  It doesn't
matter.  Specially equipped consumer products, such as televisions,
car radios, pagers, CD players and other devices, will be able to 
receive an emergency EAS alert and can provide a warning even when
the devices are shut off.  Do you tune out the current EBS because
it's always "just a test?"  Weekly tests will be replaced by
monthly coordinated tests transmitted by all broadcast stations and
cable systems which will closely follow procedures used during an
actual emergency.
     
      Is Spanish or French your native language?  If so, the EAS
has the capability of providing alerts in the language normally
used by the station or cable system.  

     On the national level, the President activates the EAS through
the White House Communications Agency.  Broadcast stations, cable
systems and satellites then transmit the message to the public.  
On the state and local level, the EAS allows specific geographic
areas to be targeted with emergency information. 




                                  (over)



                                    -2-

     The use of advanced digital technology developed by the NWS
will allow the new EAS to automatically receive and redistribute a
number of sources of emergency information, including the National
Weather Service hazard warnings, to people in the threatened areas. 


      "Seventy percent of all natural disasters proclaimed by the
President are weather related.  Linking the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio network
electronically with the nation's Emergency Alert System will help
the National Weather Service save lives by reaching more people
with timely, site-specific severe weather warnings," said Elbert W.
"Joe" Friday, Jr., NOAA Assistant Administrator for Weather
Services.

                                   -FCC-

     FCC News Media contacts: Patricia A. Chew and Audrey Spivack
at (202) 418-0500.
     NWS News Media contact: Barry Reichenbaugh at (301) 713-
0622.     
     FCC Compliance and Information Bureau contact: Bonnie Gay at
(202) 418-1220.