Emergency Management and Homeland Security

EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM

Connecticut State Police

The EAS is a national public warning system that requires broadcasters, cable television systems, wireless cable systems, satellite digital audio radio service (SDARS) providers, and direct broadcast satellite (DBS) providers to provide the communications capability to the President to address the American public during a national emergency. The system also may be used by state and local authorities to deliver important emergency information, such as AMBER alerts and weather information targeted to specific areas.

The FCC, in conjunction with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service (NWS), implements the EAS at the federal level. The President has sole responsibility for determining when the EAS will be activated at the national level, and has delegated this authority to the director of FEMA. FEMA is responsible for implementation of the national-level activation of the EAS, tests, and exercises. The NWS develops emergency weather information to alert the public about imminent dangerous weather conditions.

In Connecticut EAS is activated from the State Emergency Operations Center in Hartford and from the Connecticut State Police Headquarters in Middletown.  Important messages to alert and inform the public can be sent directly to Connecticut thanks to the voluntary cooperation of Connecticut’s Broadcasters.

The system is tested on a regular basis, so the next time you hear the tone and your favorite radio or TV stations send its regular test, remember that the information you will hear may save your life.!!!!