The process of registering in the FCC’s new EAS Test Reporting System has been particularly daunting for some low-power FM broadcasters, many of whom are new to the commission’s rules and procedures.
Contacted by Radio World last week, a commission spokesperson said LPFMs are indeed obligated to participate in the nation’s EAS system and do need to file in ETRS. “However we recognize LPFM stations’ unique limitations, and we are prepared to work one-on-one with them should they need help navigating their way through [the] upload of Form 1 information,” said the spokesperson.
The commission encouraged encouraging those in the LPFM community to review the resources it has posted online, including an ETRS manual, FAQ (PDF) and webinar recording. LPFM stations are encouraged to email [email protected] if assistance is needed.
“Our goal is to help ensure that all EAS participants are successfully registered to participate in the nationwide EAS test, which will in turn help ensure that they can best serve their communities during an emergency,” the spokesperson said; indeed this advice pertains to any EAS participant who has questions about filing, not just LPFM stations.
The deadline for filling out Form 1 was Friday, but commission officials have indicated that even late filers should still fill out the form, with the next national EAS test coming up Sept. 28 at 2:20 p.m. EDT.
