State of Oklahoma

Emergency Alert
System

State EAS Plan

Working Revision
June, 2002
Original Plan Approved by the FCC
December 2, 1996

STATE OF OKLAHOMA

EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM OPERATIONAL PLAN

This plan was prepared by the Oklahoma State Emergency Communications Committee in cooperation with the Oklahoma Department of Civil Emergency Management; the National Weather Service–Oklahoma; the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters; the Oklahoma Cable Association; State and local officials; and the broadcasters and cable systems of Oklahoma.

NOTE: Internal EAS Local Area operating procedures of the broadcasters, cable systems, State officials or the National Weather Service, relating to the State EAS Operational Plan may be attached as an Annex to this plan.


EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM (EAS) CHECKLIST

FOR BROADCAST STATIONS AND CABLE SYSTEMS

____________________________________                                                                                       _________________________________________

Your EAS Local Area                                      Your EAS Monitoring Assignments

______    1.         All personnel trained in EAS procedures and in the use of EAS equipment.

______    2.         EAS encoders and decoders installed and operating.

______    3.         Correct assignments monitored, according to EAS State or Local Area plans.

______    4.         Weekly and monthly EAS tests received and logged.

______    5.         Weekly and monthly EAS test transmissions made and logged.

______    6.         EAS Operating Handbook immediately available.

______    7.         Copies of EAS State and Local Area plans immediately available.

______    8.         Copy of FCC EAS Rules and Regulations (Part 11) and, if appropriate, AM station emergency operation (Section 73.1250) available.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                                                                                         Page

APPROVALS AND CONCURRENCE........................................................................................................................... 4

PURPOSE............................................................................................................................. 5

AUTHORITY....................................................................................................................... 5

INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................. 5

NATIONAL EAS PARTICIPATION.................................................................................... 6

STATE/LOCAL EAS PARTICIPATION............................................................................... 7

CONDITIONS OF EAS PARTICIPATION........................................................................... 7

EAS PRIORITIES................................................................................................................. 7

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS........................................................................................... 7

EAS DESIGNATIONS.......................................................................................................... 7

EAS STATE NETWORK...................................................................................................... 8

GENERAL PROCEDURES FOR USE OF
BROADCAST AND CABLE FACILITIES........................................................................... 8

COMMUNICATIONS CAPABILITIES OF THE OKLAHOMA
OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES, THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE ‑ OKLAHOMA, AND THE BROADCAST AND
CABLE FACILITIES OF OKLAHOMA................................................................................ 9

IMPLEMENTATION............................................................................................................ 9

EAS HEADER CODE INFORMATION.............................................................................. 11

      A.  EAS HEADER CODE ANALYSIS.......................................................................... 11

      B.   OKLAHOMA ORIGINATOR CODES.................................................................... 12

      C.   OKLAHOMA EVENT CODES............................................................................... 12

      D.  OKLAHOMA COUNTY-LOCATION CODES....................................................... 14

      E.   OKLAHOMA "L-CODE" FORMATS...................................................................... 15

EAS TESTS......................................................................................................................... 16

      A.  REQUIRED WEEKLY TEST.................................................................................. 17

      B.   REQUIRED MONTHLY TEST............................................................................... 17

      C.   TIME-DURATION & COUNTY-LOCATION CODES........................................... 18


OKLAHOMA EAS SCRIPTS AND FORMATS.................................................................. 19

      A.  TEST SCRIPTS AND FORMATS........................................................................... 19

      B.   REAL-ALERT ACTIVATION SCRIPTS AND FORMATS..................................... 21

GUIDANCE FOR ORIGINATORS OF EAS ALERTS......................................................... 24

      A.  GUIDANCE FOR NWS PERSONNEL.................................................................... 24

      B.   GUIDANCE FOR CIVIL AUTHORITIES............................................................... 24

      C.   GUIDANCE FOR NUCLEAR & INDUSTRIAL PLANTS...................................... 25

GUIDANCE IN PROGRAMMING EAS DECODERS......................................................... 25

      A.  MODES OF OPERATION...................................................................................... 26

      B.   COUNTY-LOCATION CODES TO USE................................................................ 26

      C.   REQUIRED EVENT CODES.................................................................................. 26

      D.  PROGRAMMING SEQUENCE EXAMPLE............................................................ 27


ANNEXES

                              A.        LIST OF DESIGNATED OFFICIALS

                              B.         EAS CODES TRANSMITTED BY KEY EAS SOURCES

                              C.        OK STATE EAS COMMITTEES

                              D.        OK EAS DEFINITIONS

                              E.         OK EAS LOCAL AREAS PLAN

                              F.         OK EAS STATE MONITORING TABLE

                              G.        OK STATE RELAY WEB AND LIST


APPROVALS AND CONCURRENCE

                                                                                                   Broadcast Chair, State

_____________________________________                         ____________    Emergency Communications

Name                                                                     Date              Committee

                                                                                                   Cable Chair, State Emergency

_____________________________________                         ____________    Communications Committee

Name                                                                     Date

                                                                                                   Chief, Compliance and

_____________________________________                         ____________    Information Bureau,

Name                                                                     Date              Federal Communications

                                                                                                   Commission

CONCUR:

                                                                                                   Director, Dept. of Civil

_____________________________________                         ____________    Emergency Management       

Name                                                                     Date


PURPOSE

This Plan is the FCC-mandated document outlining the organization and implementation of the Oklahoma State Emergency Alert System (EAS). It is the guideline for broadcasters, cable TV operators, and government officials of Oklahoma to determine: their mandated and optional monitoring assignments, codes to be used in the EAS Header sequence in this state, schedule of the Required Monthly Tests (RMT's) which must be relayed by all broadcasters and certain cable operators within 60 minutes of reception, and any other procedures for dissemination of information and instructions in threatened or actual emergencies. This Plan is an adjunct to the FCC EAS Rules, and is not meant to be a summary, in whole or in part, of those Rules. Consult FCC Rules Part 11 for general rules regarding the Emergency Alert System.

The task of this Plan was to determine a primary and secondary delivery method for each level of EAS alert. This goal was achieved and surpassed for many broadcasters and cable operators. For stations/operators electing to monitor only the two assigned sources, two paths for each alert are provided.

Stations/operators adding the optional sources will have redundant paths on some alerts. Stations with direct Oklahoma News Network satellite reception will have 2 to 3 paths for all alerts. Using the Designations and Definitions outlined in this document, the redundancy of the Oklahoma State EAS Plan is shown diagrammed on Annex G. For clarity, the first page shows the distribution paths for each level of EAS drawn out separately. Thus, some communications paths are delivering more than one level of EAS alert. The second page maps out all of the State EAS paths on one diagram. Consult the section of this Plan entitled Table of Monitoring Assignments  to determine the specific two mandated and the two optional sources that each broadcaster and cable operator should monitor.

AUTHORITY

Title 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i) and (o), 303(r), 524(g) and 606; and 47 C.F.R. Part 11, FCC Rules and Regulations, Emergency Alert System (EAS) as pertains to day-to-day emergency operations.

INTRODUCTION

These procedures provide background data and prescribe specific procedures for the broadcast and cable media to issue emergency information and warning to the general public in Oklahoma or any portion thereof within the broadcast coverage and cable system service area, at the request of designated State and Federal government officials.


The Oklahoma SECC sees the EAS as growing and evolving once the system is in place, especially at the local level. The basic EAS entry point for emergency agencies, the EAS Encoder in each Area LP-1, LP-2 station, is only a starting point... an initial way for applicable civil authorities to have access into the system. Indeed, some Local Areas and large cities may develop more sophisticated Local EAS Plans, to become a part of this State Plan. For instance, local civil authorities purchase their own EAS Encoder to alert local broadcasters and cable operators. This is a goal for all 77 of our Oklahoma Counties. When we reach this point, perhaps the LP-1 stations can then be relegated to a purely back-up role. To this end, local stations are encouraged to foster a relationship with their local civil authorities. This will complete the final, and perhaps most important, spoke in the EAS wheel, since most EAS alerts are generated at the local level.

When this final link is completed, a County/Local Area EAS Plan should be written to detail the procedures to be followed. It can be modeled after this State Plan, and include references to it. Scripts to use at the County/Local Area level can be found in the "EAS Scripts and Formats" section of this Plan. Your County/Local Area Plan should then be submitted to your LAECC Chair for inclusion in the State EAS Plan.

NATIONAL EAS PARTICIPATION

All broadcasters and certain cable operators are required to participate in the National-level EAS. "PN" (Participating National) stations and all cable operators would carry the Presidential message, "NN" (Non-Participating National) stations would make an announcement and sign off.

Broadcast stations are permitted to air the audio of a Presidential EAS message from a higher quality, non-EAS source.

In addition, all broadcasters and some cable operators must transmit a Required Weekly EAS Test (RWT), and once a month, must re-transmit the Required Monthly Test (RMT) within 60 minutes of receiving it on their EAS Decoder. These actions are required of all broadcasters and cable operators, regardless of their "PN" or "NN" EAS status.

 

STATE/LOCAL EAS PARTICIPATION

 

Participation in the State and/or Local Area EAS is voluntary for all broadcasters and cable operators. However, any stations/cable operators electing to participate in the State and/or Local Area EAS must then follow the procedures found in this Plan. Note: Even though they elect not to carry National EAS Alerts, stations designated "NN" (Non-Participating National) may participate in the State and/or Local Area EAS without any prior FCC approval.


CONDITIONS OF EAS PARTICIPATION

Acceptance of/or participation in this Plan shall not be deemed as a relinquishment of program control, and shall not be deemed to prohibit a broadcast licensee from exercising his independent discretion and responsibility in any given situation. Broadcast stations and cable systems originating EAS emergency communications shall be deemed to have conferred rebroadcast authority as specified in Section §11.54(d). The concept of management of each broadcast station and cable system to exercise discretion regarding the broadcast of emergency information and instructions to the general public is provided by the FCC Rules and Regulations, Part 11.

EAS PRIORITIES

Stations/cable operators are reminded that the EAS Priorities as set forth in the FCC Rules are as follows:

            1.    National EAS Messages

            2.    Local Area EAS Messages

            3.    State EAS Messages

            4.    Messages from the National Information Center (NIC). [These are follow-up messages after a National EAS Activation.]

Detailed procedures, agreed upon by the broadcast and cable industries and the local area governments, which will permit designated government officials to issue local emergency messages and instructions, via the EAS in threatened or actual emergencies, are attached to this plan as individual appendices for each EAS local Area.

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

The listening and viewing habits of the public are inherent factors of consideration and are conducive to the positive effectiveness of the Oklahoma EAS. The instinctive reaction of the average person is to turn on his radio or television set in time of emergency. However, continuing public education is required to increase public awareness of the Oklahoma EAS as an established medium for the receipt and distribution of emergency information to the general public at the local, State, and National levels.

EAS DESIGNATIONS

These are the FCC's EAS Station Designations, reflecting the EAS status of every broadcaster and cable operator. Consult Appendix F of this Plan to determine your EAS Designation.


EAS STATE NETWORKS

The Oklahoma EAS networks are activated by a request from authorized officials to the State's Emergency Operational Center. There is a direct link from the Governor to the State Emergency Operational Center. It is then relayed to the State Primary (SP) sources. The SP sources, Oklahoma News Network (ONN) and KMGL-FM, are in Oklahoma City and are key with respect to distribution of the EAS at the State level. All Local Primary (LP) sources in each EAS Local Area and State Relay (SR) sources should monitor at least one of the above SP sources, either directly or indirectly, according to the Oklahoma EAS State Relay Network. ONN in Oklahoma City uplinks four satellite channels. Two of those four carry the Oklahoma State EAS information on Galaxy 4, Transponder 3. Each LP-1 station will monitor one of these satellite channels, either directly, or by monitoring an LP-2 station that monitors on ONN satellite channel. The ONN satellite channels will be the primary feed for the National and State levels of EAS. See Annex G for further dissemination of State level emergency information to all other stations and cable systems.

National Emergency Messages and Tests should be received from WBAP, Arlington, Texas, for the Oklahoma area. However, due to poor reception, a phone line and automatic dialer will bring the National messages from WBAP to the State's Emergency Operational Center. All National messages and tests will be distributed throughout Oklahoma over the state networks. Plans are to eventually have a secondary path for the National message via satellite and then into the State networks.

GENERAL PROCEDURES FOR USE OF BROADCAST STATION AND CABLE SYSTEMS

      A.  When a severe weather WATCH or WARNING is issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) for the State of Oklahoma, stations and cable systems in Oklahoma may receive hard copy of the WATCH or WARNING over any of the following teletype networks: Associated Press (AP), United Press International (UPI), or the NOAA Weather Wire.

      B.  When a severe weather WATCH or WARNING is issued by the NWS for the State of Oklahoma, the NWS or another designated official will notify the SP sources, KMGL-FM, and Oklahoma News Network, through NOAA Weather Radio or telephone.

      C.  When a statewide emergency exists, the Governor or a designated official from the list provided to broadcasters and cable operators will determine whether or not to request activation of the Oklahoma EAS through the Oklahoma State Emergency Operational Center.

      D.  For unique emergency situations or severe weather not involving the entire state, authorities may request EAS activation through the Local Primary (LP) source serving the affected EAS Local Area.


      E.   The Oklahoma State Emergency Communications Committee and the Oklahoma Department of Civil Emergency Management will issue a list of authorized officials for requesting activation of the Oklahoma EAS (see Annex A). This information should be kept secure and private.

COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE OKLAHOMA STATE EMERGENCY OPERATIONAL CENTER, THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN OKLAHOMA, AND THE BROADCAST AND CABLE FACILITIES OF OKLAHOMA.

      1.   Commercial telephone exists between the Oklahoma State Emergency Operational Center, the NWS in Oklahoma, and the broadcast and cable facilities of the state.

            State Primary (SP) sources:

               Oklahoma News Network:                                    405-858-1458

               KMGL-FM:                                                            405-478-3769

               Governor's Office:                                                 405-523-4260

               State Emergency Operational Center:                  405-521-2481

      2.   Remote pickup units (two way radios) are available between the Oklahoma State Emergency Operation Center, the Governor s Office, and the SP sources Oklahoma News Network and KMGL-FM. The frequency used is 153.11 mHz and is licensed by KDMA.

IMPLEMENTATION

      A.  Procedures for Activating Officials.

            1.   Request activation of the EAS facilities through the Oklahoma State Emergency Operation Center, or Oklahoma News Network as soon as possible.

            2.   Work out program details (i.e., live or recorded, immediate or delayed) with broadcast and cable personnel.

            3.   It is recommended that government officials use the following format when delivering the emergency announcement. The format is deliberately general in nature to allow for the uniqueness of each emergency situation, yet broad enough to insure completeness.

                  a.   "This is (name/title) of (jurisdiction) with a request to activate the Oklahoma Emergency Alert System.

                        _____________________________________________________


                  b.   Situation summary (describe the nature of the emergency).

                  c.   Instructions or message to the public.

                  d.   Actions being taken by state and/or local government(s).

            4.   Keep line open if necessary.

            5.   Issue Oklahoma EAS Termination.

      B.  Procedures for Broadcast stations and Cable systems.

            1.   Upon receipt of a request to activate EAS at the state level, the operators at the EOC, and Oklahoma News Network will begin recording all emergency messages and proceed as follows:

                  a.   Transmit the following announcement: "WE INTERRUPT THIS PROGRAM BECAUSE OF A STATE EMERGENCY. IMPORTANT INFORMATION WILL FOLLOW."

                  b.   Transmit the Emergency Alert System header codes and Attention Signal: (FCC Regulations, Section § 11.51)

                  c. Transmit the following announcement: "WE INTERRUPT THIS PROGRAM TO ACTIVATE THE OKLAHOMA EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM AT THE REQUEST OF (AUTHORITY) AT (TIME)."

                  d.   Make the emergency announcement. Repeat as necessary and include the source of information and time received.

                  e.   At end of announcement, transmit the Oklahoma EAS End of Message (EOM) code (see FCC Regulations, Section § 11.31). Otherwise keep program open for a maximum of 2 minutes at which time the EOM code will transmit automatically from your encoder/decoder.

            Important Note: Broadcasters and cable operators have the option of transmitting only the EAS header and EOM codes without the Attention Signal and emergency announcement. This is acceptable so that EAS coded messages can be quickly relayed through areas unaffected by the emergency.

            2.   Each broadcast station and cable system, upon receipt of a State level emergency action notification will, at the discretion of management, perform the same procedures as outlined in B.1. above, including recording all emergency messages. All LP1, LP2, and State Relay stations and cable systems, by accepting the designation of LP1, LP2, and State Relay have already agreed to pass the State level emergency, since they are an integral part of the State network.


            3.   To avoid unnecessary escalation of public confusion, all broadcast stations and cable systems must be cautious in providing information and news pertaining to the emergency. All messages must be based on definite and confirmed facts. The public must not be left to decide what is or is not factual.

            4.   Upon completion of the above transmission procedures, resume normal programming. Appropriate notations should be made in station and cable records and logs of all significant events. These records should be carefully preserved in the event they are required at some later date (FCC Regulations, Section § 11.55). Stations and cable systems may send a very brief summary to the FCC for information purposes.

            5.   If operations were not concluded as specified in B.1.e. above, upon receipt of the termination notice from the activating official, make the following announcement and transmit the Oklahoma EOM code: "THIS CONCLUDES OPERATIONS UNDER THE OKLAHOMA EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM. ALL BROADCAST STATIONS AND CABLE SYSTEMS MAY NOW RESUME NORMAL OPERATIONS." (Repeat announcement).

EAS HEADER CODE INFORMATION

      A.  EAS Header Code Analysis

            An EAS Header Code contains the following elements, sent in the following sequence:

          [Preamble] ZCZC-ORG-EEE-PSSCCC+TTTT-JJJHHMM-LLLLLLLL-

          Attention Signal

          Aural, Visual, or Text Message

          [Preamble] NNNN

            [Preamble] = (Clears the system) - Sent automatically by your Encoder.

            ZCZC = (Start of ASCII Code) - Sent automatically by your Encoder.

            ORG = (Originator Code) - Preset once by user, then sent automatically by your Encoder. See following Section B for code you must use.

            EEE = (Event Code) - Determined by user, each time an alert is sent. See following Section C for the only codes to be used in Oklahoma.

            PSSCCC = (County-Location Code) - Determined by user, each time an alert is sent. See following Section D for the assigned codes of all Oklahoma counties.


            TTTT = (Duration of Alert) - Determined by user, each time an alert is sent.

            JJJHHMM = (Date/Time-of-Day) - Sent automatically by your Encoder.

            LLLLLLLL = (8-Character ID, Identifying the Broadcaster, Cable TV, Weather Service Office, or Civil Authority operating that Encoder.) Preset once by user, then sent automatically by your Encoder. See following Section E. for format to be followed by all users in constructing their L-Code.

            Attention Signal - Must be sent if aural, visual, or text message is sent.

            [Preamble] = (Re-clears the system) - Sent automatically by your Encoder when you initiate the End-of-Message sequence.

            NNNN = (End-of-Message Code) - Must be initiated manually at the end of every EAS Alert originated by all sources. A failure of the system will occur if this code is not sent to reset the Decoders of all stations/operators that carried that alert.

      B.  Oklahoma Originator Codes

            Following are the only Originator Codes to be used by sources in Oklahoma:

            WXR - To be used by National Weather Service Offices.

            CIV - To be used by Civil Authorities, and Emergency Government.

            EAS - To be used by all Broadcasters and Cable TV Operators.

      C.  Oklahoma Event Codes

            Whether used under the authority of the State EAS Plan, or any of the County/Local Area EAS Plans, the following are the only Event Codes to be used in the State of Oklahoma by anyone for any purpose. No codes can be added without FCC approval. County/Local Area EAS Plans which desire to use a code not on this list, should submit that code request to the SECC for FCC approval and for subsequent addition to this list. This list will be maintained as a Master List for all Event Codes used in the State of Oklahoma.


MANDATED FCC EVENT CODES

National Information Center.............. NIC              National Periodic Test..................... NPT

Required Monthly Test....................... RMT            Required Weekly Test..................... RWT

Tornado Watch.................................... TOA             Tornado Warning.............................. TOR

Severe Thunderstorm Watch.............. SVA             Severe Thunderstorm Warning....... SVR

Severe Weather Statement................. SVS              Special Weather Statement............. SPS

Flash Flood Watch.............................. FFA              Flash Flood Warning........................ FFW

Flash Flood Statement........................ FFS              Flood Watch..................................... FLA

Flood Warning..................................... FLW            Flood Statement............................... FLS

Winter Storm Watch........................... WSA            Winter Storm Warning.................... WSW

Blizzard Warning................................. BZW            High Wind Watch............................. HWA

High Wind Warning............................ HWW          Evacuation Immediate...................... EVI

Civil Emergency Message.................. CEM            Practice/Demo Warning.................. DMO

Administrative Message..................... ADR            

 

OKLAHOMA-ADOPTED SBE EVENT CODES (pending FCC approval)

Self Test............................................... TST              Civil Emergency Warning............... CEW

Civil Emergency Statement................ CES              Civil Emergency Text Message...... CEX

Traffic Emergency.............................. TRE              Traffic Announcement..................... TRA

Traffic Authority Test......................... TRT              Traffic Text Message....................... TRX

Earth Quake Statement....................... EQS             Earth Quake Text Message.............. EQX

Environmental Warning...................... ENW            Environmental Statement................ ENS

Environmental Text Message............. ENX             Evacuation Warning......................... EVW

Evacuation Statement.......................... EVS              Evacuation Text Message................ EVX

Fire Warning........................................ FRW            Fire Statement.................................. FRS

Fire Test............................................... FRT              Fire Text Message............................ FRX

State Emergency................................. STE              State EAS Advisory.......................... STA

State Test............................................. STT              State Text Message.......................... STX

Local Area Priority Activation.......... LAA             Local Area EAS Statement.............. LAS

Local Area Test................................... LAT              Local Area Text Message................ LAX

Police Priority Activation.................. PLA             Police EAS Statement..................... PLS

Police Test........................................... PLT              Police Text Message....................... PLX

Sheriff Priority Activation................. SHA             Sheriff EAS Statement..................... SHS

Sheriff Test.......................................... SHT              Sheriff Text Message....................... SHX

Military Priority Activation............... MLA            Military EAS Statement................... MLS

Military Test........................................ MLT             Military Text Message..................... MLX

Nuclear Plant Emergency................... NPE             Nuclear Plant Statement.................. NUS

Nuclear Plant Test............................... NUT             Nuclear Plant Text Message........... NUX

Industrial Plant Emergency................ IPE               Industrial Plant Statement............... IPS

Industrial Plant Test............................ IPT               Industrial Plant Test Message......... IPX


SPECIAL OKLAHOMA EVENT CODES (Non-FCC, Non-SBE)

There are no FCC-Approved Special Oklahoma Event Codes at this time.

      D.  Oklahoma County-Location Codes ("PSSCCC")

            The first digit ("P") can be used to indicate one-ninth of the county code it precedes, in the following pattern:

0 = Entire County

1 = NW

2 = NC

3 = NE

4 = WC

5 = C

6 = EC

7 = SW

8 = SC

9 = SE

            The remaining 5 digits ("SSCCC") indicate the county, as listed below:


Adair........................... 40001

Alfalfa......................... 40003

Atoka.......................... 40005

Beaver........................ 40007

Beckham..................... 40009

Blaine.......................... 40011

Bryan.......................... 40013

Caddo......................... 40015

Canadian..................... 40017

Carter......................... 40019

Cherokee.................... 40021

Choctaw..................... 40023

Cimmaron................... 40025

Cleveland.................... 40027

Coal............................ 40029

Commanche................ 40031

Cotton......................... 40033

Craig........................... 40035

Creek.......................... 40037

Custer......................... 40039

Delaware..................... 40041

Dewey........................ 40043

Ellis............................. 40045

Garfield....................... 40047

Garvin......................... 40049

Grady.......................... 40051

Grant........................... 40053

Greer.......................... 40055

Harmon....................... 40057

Harper........................ 40059

Haskell........................ 40061

Hughes........................ 40063

Jackson....................... 40065

Jefferson...................... 40067

Johnston...................... 40069

Kay............................. 40071

Kingfisher.................... 40073

Kiowa......................... 40075

Latimer........................ 40077

Le Flore...................... 40079

Lincoln........................ 40081

Logan.......................... 40083

Love........................... 40085

McClain...................... 40087

McCurtain................... 40089

McIntosh..................... 40091

Major.......................... 40093

Marshall...................... 40095

Mayes......................... 40097

Murray........................ 40099

Muskogee................... 40101

Noble.......................... 40103

Nowata....................... 40105

Okfuskee.................... 40107

Oklahoma................... 40109

Okmulgee.................... 40111

Osage......................... 40113

Ottawa........................ 40115

Pawnee....................... 40117

Payne.......................... 40119

Pittsburg...................... 40121

Pontotoc..................... 40123

Pottawatomie.............. 40125

Pushmataha................. 40127

Roger Mills.................. 40129

Rogers........................ 40131

Seminole..................... 40133

Sequoyah.................... 40135

Stephens..................... 40137

Texas.......................... 40139

Tillman........................ 40141

Tulsa........................... 40143

Wagoner..................... 40145

Washington................. 40147

Washita....................... 40149

Woods........................ 40151

Woodward.................. 40153


      E.   Oklahoma "L-Code" Formats

            This 8-character code is affixed to every EAS message originated or re-transmitted by every EAS Encoder. The code identifies the particular broadcaster, cable operator, Weather Service Office, nuclear/industrial plant, or civil authority operating that Encoder. "L-Code" ID's must adhere to the following formats. No deviation from these formats is allowed, since using certain other characters would cause an error in the system.

            Broadcasters:

                  Single Station: "KXXX(FM)"

                  Two Stations: "KXXXWYYY"

                  Three or more Stations: The call letters of one of the stations is sufficient. All other stations sending the alert should keep a log of alerts sent, as should the ID'd station. (Per FCC)

            Cable TV:

                  (To be determined by the SECC Cable TV Co-Chair.)

            Weather Service Offices:

                  Use the letters "NWS", followed by the call sign of the NOAA Weather Radio Station sending the alert.

                  Examples: "NWSKEC60" "NWSKIG65".

            Civil Authorities:

                  This code uses three components in constructing its 8-character code:

                        Portion of "L-Code"                 Source of Characters

First Four Characters       =   First four letters of name of jurisdiction

                                                (Name of County, City, etc.)


Next two characters         =   Abbreviation for type of jurisdiction:

                                                   For County use "CO"

                                                   For City use "CY"

                                                   For Town use "TN"

                                                   For Village use "VL"

                                                   For Township use "TP"

                                                   For Municipality use "MY"

Last two characters          =   Abbreviation for type of agency:

                                                   For Sheriff use "SH"

                                                   For Fire Dept. use "FD"

                                                   For Police Dept. use "PD"

                                                   For Traffic Authority use "TA"

                                                   For Emergency Services use "ES"

                                                   For Emergency Government use "EG"

                                                   For Emergency Management use "EM"

            Examples:   Tulsa County Sheriff = "TULSCOSH"
                                    City of Tulsa Police = "TULSCYPD"

            Note:  Military groups use: "U.S. ARMY," "U.S. NAVY," "AIRFORCE," "U.S.M.C.," "U.S.C.G."

Private Industry:

      Nuclear Plants: Use "XXXNUCPT", where XXX is the plant's name.

      Industrial Plants: Submit a logical code to the SECC for approval and inclusion in this Plan.

EAS TESTS

The following requirements regarding both RWT's and RMT's apply to some cable operators but all broadcasters, "PN", as well as "NN" stations. Even stations that have elected not to participate in local EAS alerts, must still rebroadcast their RMT every month. There are two exceptions to these rules. First, Class "D" FM and LPTV stations need not have an EAS Encoder. They must have an EAS Decoder. Thus, these stations are exempt from running the weekly digital code RWT test. However, they must re-transmit monthly RMT tests as outlined below, minus the EAS Header Codes and Attention Signal. In addition, LPTV stations must present all EAS information visually, just as all other TV stations must do. The second exception is for FM Translator and TV Translator stations, which are not required to have any EAS equipment.


      A.  Required Weekly Test (RWT)

            1.   Transmission: Most broadcasters and cable operators must transmit an RWT once each week at random days and times except for the week of the RMT test. There are no time-of-day restrictions. This is a 10.5-second test, consisting only of the EAS Header and End-of-Message Codes.

            2.   Reception: All broadcasters and cable operators receiving a RWT from one of their monitored sources must log receipt of this test. No further action is required.

      B.   Required Monthly Test (RMT)

            1.   Transmission: All broadcasters and some cable operators must transmit the RMT once each month. The originating source of the datime RMT is the Oklahoma Emergency Operation Center's responsibility associated with the SR, and LP-1 and LP-2 stations. Nighttime tests originate at the National Weather Service in Norman. During the designated week for this test, broadcasters and cable operators are to wait for this test and then react as described in (4.) below. These tests shall always use the Event Code "RMT", never codes such as "State Test", or "Local Area Test", etc.

            2.   Scheduling of RMT's / Week and Time-of-Day:

                      RMT's shall always occur during the first, full, Sunday-through-Saturday week of the month.

                      Time frame and origination of the RMT tests shall adhere to the following format:

MONTH

TIME FRAME

STN.

ORIGINATING SOURCE

JANUARY

DAY / 8:30 AM to Local Sunset

SR

OK STATE EOC

FEBRUARY

NIGHT / Local Sunset to 8:30 AM

SR

NAT’L WEATHER SVC.

MARCH

DAY / 8:30 AM to Local Sunset

SR

OK STATE EOC

APRIL

NIGHT / Local Sunset to 8:30 AM

SR

NAT’L WEATHER SVC.

MAY

DAY / 8:30 AM to Local Sunset

SR

OK STATE EOC

JUNE

NIGHT / Local Sunset to 8:30 AM

SR

NAT’L WEATHER SVC.

JULY

DAY / 8:30 AM to Local Sunset

SR

OK STATE EOC

AUGUST

NIGHT / Local Sunset to 8:30 AM

SR

NAT’L WEATHER SVC.

SEPTEMBER

DAY / 8:30 AM to Local Sunset

SR

OK STATE EOC

OCTOBER

NIGHT / Local Sunset to 8:30 AM

SR

NAT’L WEATHER SVC.

NOVEMBER

DAY / 8:30 AM to Local Sunset

SR

OK STATE EOC

DECEMBER

NIGHT / Local Sunset to 8:30 AM

SR

NAT’L WEATHER SVC.


            NOTES:

          SR = Test will come from the State Relay station that you monitor.

          OK STATE EOC = The State EOC will send the RMT at a specified time each month. A schedule of the originating date and time will be furnished to stations annually. The SR stations must then rebroadcast this test within 60 minutes of receiving it.

            3.  Scheduling of RMT's / Recommended Time Constraints:

                 SR and LP stations, as well as Civil Authorities and the State EOC, are requested to use judgment in the scheduling of times for RMT's. Since all broadcasters and cable operators are required to rebroadcast this test within 60 minutes of receiving it, care should be taken to not put undue hardship on TV broadcasters in particular, when they are carrying their highest-revenue programming. On a daily basis, these periods would include all major newscasts: early morning, noon-time, evening, and late-evening. In addition, the times of major events are recommended to be avoided, such as: pre-planned Presidential speeches, hours of a major national or local news story carried outside of normal newscast hours, local and national election coverage, and major sporting events like World Series games and the Superbowl.

                 Broadcasters and cable operators which have a complaint regarding the scheduling of RMT's in their Area should make their concerns known to their Area Chair (see The "Oklahoma SECC" section in this Plan for names). If a satisfactory resolution is not reached at that level, the State EAS Chair should be contacted.

            4.  Reception / Re-transmission of RMT's

                 All broadcasters and some cable operators receiving an RMT test must re-transmit this test within 60 minutes of receiving the test. [For Daytime-only stations receiving a night-time RMT, this test must be re-transmitted within 60 minutes of the Daytime-only station's sign-on.] Transmission of this RMT test takes the place of the Required Weekly Test (RWT). Times should be logged for both the receipt and re-transmission of the RMT test. Broadcast and cable management should impress upon their staff that re-transmission of this test is not an option. It is an FCC violation to fail to re-transmit this test within 60 minutes of receiving it. The best policy may be to set your EAS unit for a 60-minute automatic countdown upon receiving an RMT. If the operator on duty does not send the test manually within that window, the box will do it for him when time runs out.

      C.  Time-Duration and County-Location Codes to be Used

                 TIME-DURATION used in the EAS Header Code for all EAS Tests shall be "30 MINUTES."

                 COUNTY-LOCATION codes used in the EAS Header Code for EAS Tests shall conform to these guidelines:


                        SR Stations: All tests, RWT and RMT, shall use the Location Code for the entire state (040000)

                        LP Stations: All tests, RWT and RMT, shall include the Location Code for all counties in that LP station's Local Area of responsibility. To determine the counties in their Local Area of responsibility, each LP station should consult the "OK EAS State Monitoring Table", and/or the cover sheet for the "FCC Mapbook", both found in the Annex of this Plan.

                        PN and NN Stations and Cable Operators: RMT tests shall be re-transmitted unchanged, except for the "L-Code". Thus, RMT s will include all counties present in the original message. For the RWT originated each week by each PN and NN station, and each cable operator, the county-location code used shall be the county for the broadcaster's City of License, or cable operator's Community of License. Other counties in the station's / system's service area may be added at management discretion.

OKLAHOMA EAS SCRIPTS AND FORMATS

A.  Test Scripts and Formats

      The following test scripts (limited to less than 2 minutes) and formats shall be used by all Oklahoma broadcasters, cable operators, and emergency agencies when originating EAS tests.

      1.   RWT: No script is required for the RWT, however an optional script is included here. Entire test takes 10.5 seconds without optional intro and script. Format is as follows:

                 Stop regular programming

                 Optional Intro:

                        "This is a test of the (Local Area) Oklahoma Emergency Alert System."

                 one-second pause

                 Send EAS Header Code 3 times

                 one-second pause

                 Send EAS End-of-Message Code 3 times

                 one-second pause

                 Resume normal programming


      2.   RMT: SR stations, LP stations, and emergency agencies originating this test should use the following format. All other broadcasters and cable operators will receive the test in this format, and must re-transmit it within 60 minutes in the same format. Format is as follows:

                Stop regular programming

                Optional Intro: This is a test of the (Local Area) Oklahoma Emergency Alert System.

                one-second pause

                Send EAS Header Code 3 times [All sources must use Event Code RMT for this test.]

                one-second pause

                Send EAS Attention Signal (8 to 25 seconds)

                Read Test Script:

                        "This is a test of the (Local Area) Oklahoma Emergency Alert System. In the event of an emergency, this system would bring you important information. This test is now concluded."

                one-second pause

                Send EAS End-of-Message Code 3 times

                one-second pause

                Resume normal programming

            Timing Note: The script above can be read in 9-10 seconds. All other elements of the RMT (the Header Codes and an 8-second Attention Signal) take from 19-21 seconds to complete (that length depending on the number of county codes contained in the Header). The goal of writing this short script was to fit the entire test into a 30-second time period. SR stations, LP stations, and emergency agencies should make every attempt to complete this test within 30 seconds. Pre-recording the script at the length needed to achieve this goal would probably be helpful.

            Script Note: (Local Area) = LP's: Use the name of your Local Area found in this Plan (such as "Southeast" , "Northwest", etc.) SR's: Use the phrase, "State of".


B.   Real-Alert Activation Scripts and Formats

      1.   State Activation

            The State EOC shall transmit the following messages to all Oklahoma broadcasters and cable operators via the SR station network previously described. Format is as follows:

                 Send Activation Script - Cut 1:

                        "We interrupt this program because of a State of Oklahoma emergency. Important information will follow. (0:05)

                one-second pause

                Send EAS Header Code 3 times [with Event Code: STA (State EAS Advisory)]

                one-second pause

                Send EAS Attention Signal (0:08)

                Send Activation Script-Cut 2:

                  "We interrupt this program to activate the State of Oklahoma Emergency Alert System, because of a statewide emergency. Important information will follow." (0:15)

            Until Governor is ready with emergency message, repeat Fill Copy Script:

                  "This message is originating in the State of Oklahoma Emergency Operation Center in Oklahoma City. Normal broadcast programming has been interrupted to activate the State of Oklahoma Emergency Alert System because of a statewide emergency. All Oklahoma EAS stations are requested to stand-by for an announcement from the Governor of the State of Oklahoma. Broadcast stations will be given a countdown prior to the Governor s address. This is the State of Oklahoma Emergency Alert System. Stay tuned for important information." (0:35)

                Send EAS EOM Code 3 times.

                  When the Governor is ready with the emergency message, send Countdown Script:

                Send EAS Header Code 3 times [with Event Code: STA (State EAS Advisory)]


                one-second pause

                        "Three minutes to the Governor's address. This is the State of Oklahoma Emergency Alert System. Stay tuned for important information. All broadcast stations and cable systems in the State of Oklahoma should prepare to re-broadcast live the following emergency message. This is a countdown to an announcement from the Governor of the State of Oklahoma. That message begins in two-and-a-half minutes.

                        The State of Oklahoma Emergency Alert System has been activated due to a statewide emergency. Stay tuned for important information. All broadcast stations and cable systems in the State of Oklahoma should prepare to re-broadcast live the following emergency message. This is a countdown to an announcement from the Governor of the State of Oklahoma. That message begins in 2 minutes."

                Send EAS EOM Code 3 times.

                  The previous sequence of codes and the previous message repeats, ending, "That message begins in one-and-a-half minutes."

                  The previous sequence of codes and the previous message repeats, ending, "That message begins in 1 minute."

                  The previous sequence of codes and the previous message repeats, ending, "That message begins in 30 seconds."

                one-second pause

                Send EAS Header Code 3 times [with Event Code "STE" (State Emergency)]

                one-second pause

                Send EAS Attention Signal (0:08)

                Send Governor's Intro Script:

                        "The State of Oklahoma Emergency Alert System has been activated due to a statewide emergency. Stay tuned for important information. This is the State of Oklahoma Emergency Alert System. Following is an announcement from the Governor of the State of Oklahoma." (0:15)

                Governor gives live address not to exceed 1 and ˝ minutes. (Some EAS Decoders may automatically reset and cut him off if longer.) If not sent automatically by your encoder, send the EAS EOM Code 3 times.

                Following the Governor s address, send Termination Script:

                one-second pause

                Send EAS Header Code 3 times [with Event Code: STA (State EAS Advisory)]


                one-second pause

                        "This concludes EAS programming. All broadcast stations and cable systems may now resume normal operations." (0:10)

                one-second pause

                Send EAS End-of-Message Code 3 times

                one-second pause

      2.   Local Area Activation

            Areas which have developed a specific Local Area EAS Plan (which is attached to this State EAS Plan) will have their own Activation Format presented in their Local Area Plan. The following is a suggested Local Area Activation Format for general use by Areas which have not developed a specific EAS Plan.

                Stop regular programming

                Optional Intro:

                        "We interrupt our programming to activate the (Local Area) Oklahoma Emergency Alert System. Important information will follow." (0:05)

                one-second pause

                Send EAS Header Code 3 times (Use appropriate Event Code from list provided in Oklahoma Event Codes section of this Plan.)

                one-second pause

                Send EAS Attention Signal (8 to 25 seconds)

                Activation Announcement:

                        "We interrupt our regular programming to activate the (Local Area) Oklahoma Emergency Alert System. At the request of (Emergency Agency), all EAS stations in (Local Area) Oklahoma should re-broadcast the following (Type of Alert/Matches Event Code) Announcement.

                        This is the (Local Area) Oklahoma Emergency Alert System. Important information will follow."   (0:25)

                Broadcast emergency message.

                Termination Announcement: "This is the (Local Area) Oklahoma Emergency Alert System. All (Local Area) Oklahoma EAS stations are requested to re-broadcast the preceding announcement, which was issued by (Emergency Agency). We now resume normal programming."  (0:15)

                one-second pause

                Send EAS End-of-Message Code 3 times

                one-second pause

                Resume normal programming


GUIDANCE FOR ORIGINATORS OF EAS ALERTS

A.  Guidance for National Weather Service Personnel

      NWS personnel should issue EAS Weather Alerts via the Weather Teletype, and on NOAA Weather Radio using the NOAA-SAME/EAS Codes. NWS procedures should be followed relating to the transmission of the SAME/EAS Codes, the 1050 Hz Alert Tone, and the reading of the weather bulletin script. Considering that NOAA Weather Radio is being envisioned in the future as an All-Hazards Radio network, alerts for other than weather emergencies may soon be originated by NWS personnel. In the event that NWS personnel originate non-weather EAS Alerts, procedures found in this Plan (and its associated Local Area EAS Plans) regarding those alerts should be followed.

B.   Guidance for Civil Authorities

      The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is designed so that authorities with an emergency message need transmit that message only once, and it will be received by all area broadcasters and cable operators simultaneously. The most accessible method to do this is via your LP-1, LP-2 or local broadcaster or cable company. Broadcasters and cable operators have a device called an EAS Encoder which is needed to send the messages to others. It automatically triggers EAS Decoders to deliver the emergency message.

      At the present time, civil authorities have not yet purchased their own EAS Encoder. Counties without an EAS Encoder could still utilize the EAS System by routing their emergency alert requests through a LP-1, or LP-2 broadcaster/cable operator. Possibly one civil authority in each EAS Local Area could be equipped with an EAS Encoder for alerting area broadcasters and cable operators. Get in touch with your State OEC Director for information regarding setting up a local civil authority in your area to originate alerts for your county.

      A WORD OF CAUTION: Civil Authorities have acquired a valuable new tool in gaining direct access to all area broadcasters and cable operators via the EAS. However, if not used prudently, you put yourself in danger of losing this tool. Broadcasters and cable operators are expecting the EAS to be used only for life-threatening emergencies. Keep in mind two things. First, some broadcasters and cable operators have their EAS Decoders set on Automatic Mode. There is no one there to screen your message and decide if it should be aired. They are depending on you to only send an EAS Alert for a very serious emergency. The first time you trigger the system for a frivolous event, you will lose the confidence of your area broadcasters and cable operators. The second thing to remember is that broadcasters and cable operators participate in the local-level EAS on a voluntary basis. No one can force them to carry your EAS Alerts. Maintain a good relationship with your local broadcasters and cable operators, and they will come through for you in a crisis.


C.  Guidance for Nuclear Plant and Industrial Plant Personnel

      Nuclear Plants and certain Industrial Plants are the only non-governmental entities that have been given the authority to issue an EAS Alert. The caution given to Emergency Services agencies in section (B.) above should be reviewed by Nuclear and Industrial Plant personnel as well. EAS Alert Warnings should only be issued for life-threatening emergencies. Issuing EAS Alerts for less-serious conditions could compromise the confidence of your local broadcasters and cable operators, all of whom are carrying your alerts on a voluntary basis.

GUIDANCE FOR ALL USERS IN PROGRAMMING THEIR EAS DECODERS IN OKLAHOMA

This section is provided to aid users of the EAS, primarily broadcasters and cable operators, in programming the Event Codes, County-Location Codes, and Modes of Operation into their EAS Decoder. This information can also be of value to Emergency Services and Nuclear/Industrial Plant personnel who are making use of the Decoder section in their EAS gear. Each EAS Alert that you want to program your EAS gear to respond to will require that you tell it three elements: which Event Code you want it to respond to, which County that event should apply to, and what Mode of Operation you want it to respond in.

A.  Modes of Operation

      All EAS Decoders must be capable of at least Manual and Automatic Operation. Some manufacturers also offer a Semi-Automatic Mode.

      Manual Operation: Your EAS gear will only notify you of any incoming EAS Alert that you have programmed it to respond to. Your operator must push a button to cause the Alert to be re-transmitted on your station/cable system.

      Automatic Operation: This type of operation would normally be used with a Program Interrupt connection on the EAS Unit. Your on-air audio and/or video is looped through the EAS Unit so that the unit can interrupt the audio/video when necessary. In Automatic Operation, when the EAS Decoder receives an EAS Alert that you have programmed it to respond to, it immediately interrupts your programming to transmit the EAS Alert.

      Semi-Automatic Operation: Under this mode of operation, when the EAS Decoder receives an EAS Alert that you have programmed it to respond to, it will begin a preset countdown to automatic interrupt. The idea is for your operator to run the EAS Alert on the air manually at his earliest convenience. If the Alert is not run by the time the preset countdown time expires, the EAS gear will take over and do it for your operator. The same could apply to a broadcast automation system, where the automation system should insert the received Alert in the next commercial break. If it fails to do that, the EAS gear will interrupt to transmit the Alert at the end of the time-out.


      You can program your EAS gear to respond to different Alerts in different Modes, such as responding to all Weather Watches in Manual Mode, and all Weather Warnings in Automatic Mode. The Required Monthly Test (RMT), which must be re-transmitted within 60 minutes of receipt, could be programmed for Semi-Automatic Mode with a 60-minute countdown. This would give your operator the opportunity to run the RMT himself at a break in his show. However, if he forgets, the EAS gear would then do it for him to prevent you from committing an FCC Violation.

      Broadcasters using Unattended Operation must run their EAS gear in Automatic Mode.

B.   County-Location Codes to Use

      There are certain events which you will receive for your County of License that you must program your EAS gear to respond to. A list of those events is shown on the next page. When programming your EAS gear for other optional EAS Alerts, you will want to include any other counties in your "service area" that you wish to provide Alerts to your listeners/viewers for. Again, each type of Alert can include whatever counties you wish to be alerted for. You can also tell your EAS gear to notify you in the Manual Mode of any EAS Alert received for your County of License. In this way you do not have to program all the events separately. You can then program separately the events you actually want it to take over the station/system for in the Automatic Mode.

C.  Event Codes You Must Program Your EAS Decoder For

      The FCC requires that broadcasters and cable operators program their EAS Decoders for the following events:

 

                "RMT"  (Required Monthly Test) containing your County of License code

                        Must be re-transmitted within 60 minutes of receipt.

                "RWT"  (Required Weekly Test) containing your County of License code

                        Must receive test need only be logged. No re-broadcast.


D.  Suggested Programming Sequence for Setting Up Your EAS Decoder

      The following is an example of the list of events that you might enter into your EAS Decoder:

EVENT

DESCRIPTION

COUNTY CODE

OPERATION MODE

NIC

National Info Center

Not Applicable

Manual

NPT

National Periodic Test

Not Applicable

Manual

RMT

Required Monthly Test

Your County of License

Semi-Automatic 60-minutes

RWT

Required Weekly Test

Your County of License

Manual (for logging)

TOR

Tornado Warning

All Counties in Your Area

Semi-Automatic 5 minutes

FFW

Flash Flood Warning

All Counties inYour Area

Semi-Automatic 5 minutes

CEW

Civil Emergency Warning

All Counties in Your Area

Semi-Automatic 5 minutes

STE

State Emergency

Entire State of Oklahoma

Automatic

LAA

Local Area Priority Activation

All Counties in Your Area

Automatic

IPE

Industrial Plant Emergency *

All Counties in Your Area

Automatic

NPE

Nuclear Plant Emergency *

All Counties in Your Area

Automatic

"---------"

Any Received Alert

All Counties in Your Area

Manual

* If applicable in you Area.

Again, the above is a suggested list of what you might enter into your EAS Decoder.


ANNEX A

LIST OF OFFICIALS DESIGNATED TO ACTIVATE THE OKLAHOMA EAS

Governor, State of Oklahoma, or Governor's Chief of Staff.

In the Governor's absence, Acting Governor, State of Oklahoma, or the Acting Governor's Chief of Staff.

Director, Office of Emergency Services.

Governor                          Frank Keating         405-523-4260

Chief of Staff                   Clinton Key            405-523-4232

Lt. Governor                    Mary Fallin             405-521-2161

Chief of Staff                   Larry Stein              405-521-2161

Director, Dept. of

Civil Emergency              Tom Feuerborn       405-521-2481

Management

Deputy Director, Dept.

of Civil Emergency         Albert Ashwood      405-521-2481

Management


ANNEX B

EAS CODES REQUIRED TO BE SENT

BY THE SR NETWORK AND SR STATIONS

EAS SOURCE          ORG - ORIGINATOR        EEE - EVENT             COUNTY FIPS #

     State EOC                             CIV                               RMT                            040000

     Governor                              CIV                                STA                             040000


ANNEX C

The Oklahoma State Emergency Communications Committee

(OSECC)

The responsibility of administrating this Plan rests with the members of the OSECC. OSECC members include the Chairs and Vice-Chairs and other voluntary members appointed by the OSECC Chair.

OKLAHOMA STATE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE (OSECC)

                        Broadcast Co-Chair                          Cable TV Co-Chair

                        Carl C. Smith                                     Glen Fuller

                        OAB                                                    Multimedia

                        Oklahoma City, OK                           Oklahoma City, OK

                        Ph: 405-848-0771                            Ph: 405-348-5750

                        Bob Ablah                                          George Chambers

                        KFOR TV                                           KBEZ

                        Oklahoma City                                   Tulsa

                        Mike Downs                                      Glen Fuller

                        Clear Channel Radio                         MultiMedia

                        Oklahoma City                                   Oklahoma City

                        Chester Grubbs                                  Roger Herring

                        Clear Channel Networks                   KTUL TV

                        Oklahoma City                                   Tulsa

                        Ron Hill                                             Sonny Hollingshead

                        OCEM                                                KTUL TV

                        Oklahoma City                                   Tulsa

                        Britt Lockhart                                    Dennis Orcutt

                        KXXY                                                KMGL

                        Oklahoma City                                   Oklahoma City

                        Steve Staton                                       Jerry Vaughn

                        OETA                                                  Clear Channel Networks

                        Oklahoma City                                   Oklahoma City


LOCAL AREA EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM COMMITTEES (LAEASC's)

            Altus Operational Area                                      Bartlesville Operational Area

            Jimmy Young                                                    Bruce Campbell / J. T. Paige

            KWHW/KKRZ                                                KRIG

            Altus, OK                                                         Bartlesville, OK

            405-482-1450                                                    918-333-7943

            Duncan-Lawton Operational Area                      Elk City-Sayre Operational Area

            Bob Payton                                                       Harold Wright

            KLAW-FM                                                      KWEY

            Lawton, OK                                                      Weatherford, OK

            405-581-3600                                                    405-772-5939

            Enid Operation Area                                          Guymon Operational Area

            Hiram Champlin                                                Ed Smith

            KNID/KCRC/KXLS                                         KGYN

            Enid, OK                                                          Guymon, OK

            405-237-1390                                                    405-338-1210

            Joplin-Miami-Pittsburg Oper. Area                     McAlester Operational Area

                                                                                    Ros Stipe / Lee Anderson

                                                                                    KNED/KMCO

                                                                                    McAlester, OK

                                                                                    918-426-1050

            McCurtain Operational Area                              Oklahoma City Operational Area

            Carole Williams                                                 Bob Ablah

            KKBI                                                               KFOR

            Broken Bow, OK                                              Oklahoma City, OK

            405-584-3388                                                    405-424-4444

            Poteau Operational Area                                   South Southeast Operational Area

            LeRoy Billy                                                       Ken Taishoff

            KPRV AM/FM                                                 KVSO/KKAJ

            Poteau, OK                                                       Ardmore, OK

            918-647-3221                                                    405-226-0421

            Stillwater Operational Area                                Tulsa Operational Area

            Leon Mathews                                                  Jim Hicks

            KSPI                                                                KRMG/KWEN/KJSR

            Stillwater, OK                                                   Tulsa, OK

            405-372-7800                                                    918-493-3434

            Woodward Operational Area

            Doug Williams / C. J. Montgomery

            KWOX

            Woodward, OK

            405-256-4101


ANNEX D

The Oklahoma State Emergency Communications Committee

(OSECC)

DEFINITIONS

CIVIL AUTHORITIES. Civil Authorities could have an EAS Encoder to send local alerts from government agencies to the Area LP-1 station, and all other broadcasters and cable operators that want to receive it directly.

COUNTY-LOCATION CODES. These codes identify the specific county, or segment of county affected by the warning. The code has 6 digits. The first digit identifies the portion of county, automatically divided into 9 segments. The next 2 digits identify the state, while the last 3 identify the county. See EAS Header Code Information, Section D, for more information.

DESIGNATED GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. The person or persons designated by governments signatory to this procedure to request activation of the EAS and to make emergency announcements (see Annex A).

EMERGENCY. A situation posing an extraordinary threat to the safety of life and property. Examples are, but not limited to natural situations such as: tornadoes, flash floods, icing conditions, heavy snows, widespread fires; and man-made situations such as: discharge of toxic gases, widespread power failures, industrial explosions, civil disorders and nuclear incidents.

ENDEC. The acronym for an FCC approved Emergency Alert System encoder/decoder. At the time of this writing there are only 2 approved endecs, from Sage and TFT. Also at this time there is no available decoder only. Required for every broadcaster by December 31, 1996, and every cable operator by June 30, 1997.

EVENT CODE. This code identifies the type of alert being sent, i.e. TOA, for tornado watch. See EAS Header Code Information, Section C for more information, as well as the required State authorized list of event codes.


L CODE. The L Code is an 8 digit code which identifies the particular originator or re-transmitter of the message which you received. The codes are unique to every broadcaster, cable operator, Weather Service Office, nuclear/industrial plant, or civil authority operating an encoder.

LP-1, LP-2 (Local Primary). In some large areas where the LP-1 does not have complete coverage, a new LP-2 station has been designated to cover the far reaches of that Area. Information in this Plan relating to LP-1 s also applies to LP-2 s in those Areas. LP-1 and LP-2 stations are primarily sources of Local Area Emergency EAS Messages. They will also be relaying National, State, and Weather Alerts.

NOAA (NOAA WEATHER RADIO). Under the EAS, NOAA Weather Radio stations are encoding all of their alerts using the same coding as used for EAS Alerts. Broadcasters and cable operators may feed their EAS Decoders with the audio from any normal NOAA Weather Radio receiver, and their EAS Decoder will react just as it does with broadcaster EAS codes.

NN (Non-Participating National). Broadcasters/cable operators who hold an NN Authorization from the FCC to sign off the air during a National Emergency.

NP (National Primary). Sole source of all National EAS Alerts. These stations will be monitored and passed by the Oklahoma SR.

OKLAHOMA NEWS NETWORK (ONN). ONN in Oklahoma City uplinks four satellite channels. Two of those four carry the Oklahoma State EAS information on Galaxy 4, Transponder 3. Each LP-1 station will monitor one of these satellite channels, either directly, or by monitoring an LP-2 station that monitors an ONN satellite channel. In addition to the LP stations, these satellite channels are received directly by 66 Oklahoma radio stations. The ONN satellite channels will be the primary feed for the National and State levels of EAS.

ORIGINATOR CODES. Codes that are preset once into the ENDEC by the owner and identifies the originator as one of 3 types when a message is sent. The 3 types of originator code for Oklahoma are WXR for National Weather Service; CIV for civilian; and EAS for Broadcasters and Cable Operators. See EAS Header Code Information, Section B for more information. Encoders are further identified by the L Code. See also, L Code.

PN (Participating National). Most normal broadcasters and cable operators are designated as PN. These sources are for delivering all levels of EAS to the general public.


RMT. Required monthly test, originated by the State EOC. Every broadcaster is required to log receipt of the monthly test, regardless of their NN or PN status. All broadcasters are required to re-transmit this test as well. If the broadcaster received the test while signed off, they are required to re-transmit the test within 60 minutes of sign on. Cable operators, depending on the size of the system, may be required to log and re-transmit this test. LPTV and Class D FM are required to re-transmit the monthly test minus the EAS Header Codes and Attention Signal.

RWT. Required weekly test, originated by all required broadcasters and some cable operators. Most broadcasters are required to transmit and log the weekly test, regardless of the NN or PN status. Those broadcasters not required are LPTV, Class D FM, and FM and TV repeaters.

SECC. State Emergency Communications Committee. This is the committee designated by the FCC to originate and maintain a state Emergency Alert System plan. See Annex E for a list of chairpersons and appointed volunteers.

SEVERE WEATHER WARNING. A severe weather WARNING indicates that a particular severe weather storm has actually been sighted in an area or indicated by radar, and serves notice to the public that severe weather conditions are almost certain to occur.

SEVERE WEATHER WATCH. A severe weather WATCH indicates that the probabilities of a particular severe weather storm are high, and is an alert to the public of such severe weather conditions.

SR (State Relay) Stations. In Oklahoma, a station in your area which is relaying emergency messages from Oklahoma City. SR stations are primarily sources of State EAS Messages. They may also be relaying National, Local, and Weather Alerts.

STATE EOC. Oklahoma State Emergency Operation Center in Oklahoma City. The operation center is the origination point for state messages feeding the SR stations.

TIME-DURATION. Information sent in the Header Code. It should be set to 30 minutes for all EAS tests. Otherwise, it is entered each time a message is being originated for the needed duration of that particular emergency message.


ANNEX F

Revised December 1997

Annex contains the EAS Monitoring Assignments for Oklahoma Radio and Television stations and a listing of the National Weather Services Radio frequencies and the counties each covers.

Monitoring Assignments for Oklahoma Cable operators are being developed and will be submitted at a later date as an amendment to the Annex.


State Primary

Oklahoma News Network, Oklahoma City
WKY, Oklahoma City

No.  Operational Area

1.            Altus                                  KHW/KRKZ                  Altus                                LP-1
                                          KQTZ                             Hobart                             LP-2
                                          KYBE                             Frederick                         LP-2

2.            Bartlesville                          KWON/KYFM              Bartlesville                        LP-1
                                          KGND                            Ketchum                          LP-2

3.            Duncan-Lawton                  KLAW                           Lawton                             LP-2
                                          KSWO                           Lawton                             LP-1

4.            Elk City-Sayre                    KWEY AM/FM             Anadarko                         LP-1
                                          KECO                            Elk City                            LP-2

5.            Enid                                   KCRC                            Enid                                 LP-1
                                          KNID                             Enid                                 LP-2

6.            Guymon                             KGYN                            Guymon                           LP-1
                                          KKBS                            Guymon                           LP-2

7.            Joplin-Miami-Pittsburg        KGND                            Ketchum                          LP-2

8.            McAlester                          KMCO/KNED               McAlester                        LP-1
                                          KHTT                             Muskogee                        LP-2

9.            McCurtain                          KKBI                             Broken Bow                     LP-1

10.        Oklahoma City                   WKY                              Oklahoma City                     SP
                                          KMGL                            Oklahoma City           SR/LP-2

11.        Poteau                                KREU                             Roland                             LP-1
                                          KMXJ                            Sallisaw                            LP-2

12.        South/Southeast                  KICM                             Ardmore                          LP-1
                                          KKAJ                             Ardmore                          LP-2
                                          KYKC                            Byng                                LP-2

13.        Stillwater                            KSPI AM/FM                Stillwater                          LP-1
                                          KOSU                            Stillwater                    SR/LP-2

14.        Tulsa                                  KMOD                           Tulsa                                LP-1
                                          KRMG                           Tulsa                                LP-2

15.        Woodward                         KWOX                           Woodward                       LP-1