Emergency Alert System Charter

  • The Emergency Alert System Committee is responsible for the preparation of the Kansas Emergency Alert System (EAS) Plan. The plan provides background data and prescribes specific procedures for the broadcast, cable media, and government officials to insure emergency notification and warning to the general public, during threatened or actual emergencies. This plan will be coordinated with the County Local Emergency Operations Plan.
  • The Emergency Alert System Committee shall have the following functions, powers, and duties:
    • Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) deals with the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Rules and Regulations. Part 11 of CFR Title 47 gives the authority for and regulates the operation of the Emergency Alert System;
    • Establish the EAS network as a medium for the receipt and/or distribution of emergency notification;
    • Educate the general public of Kansas to increase the awareness of the Kansas EAS network;
    • Review procedures of access for the EAS system activation;
    • A member of this Committee should serve as a liaison for the America's Missing Broadcast Emergency Response (AMBER) Network in Kansas;
    • Staff support will be supplied through the Kansas Division of Emergency Management.
  • Membership: The Emergency Alert System Committee membership shall be offered to representatives in each of the categories listed below. The Emergency Alert System Committee may nominate additional representatives to bring additional expertise to the group for outreach missions. This Committee shall make every effort to retain fifteen or more members:
    • Kansas Public Radio
    • National Weather Service
    • Federal Communications Commission
    • Radio or TV station representative from each of the six regions of Kansas
    • Kansas Association of Broadcasters
    • Kansas Cable Telecommunications Association
    • Cable Operators
    • Kansas Emergency Management Association
    • Adjutant General Department
    • Association of Public Safety Communications Officials - Kansas Chapter
    • Kansas Sheriffs Association
    • Kansas Bureau of Investigation
  • Chairperson: Selected annually by the Emergency Alert System Committee members.
  • Vice-Chairperson: Designated by the Chairperson.
  • Time allotted: The Emergency Alert System Committee shall have the authority to convene as necessary; however, meeting times shall be at least once a year. The Chairperson shall be responsible for finalizing agenda issues and determining meetings times.
  • Level of Empowerment: Prepare the EAS plan and implement procedures for the dissemination of the plan.
  • Feedback: Publish a summary of meetings, report progress of the plan to the Commission of Emergency Preparedness and Response (CEPR).