The deadline to implement the new federal Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) adopted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for emergency alert system (EAS) alerts is June 30, 2012. CAP is an XML-based open, interoperable data interchange format for collecting and distributing all-hazard safety notifications and emergency warnings. CAP allows messages to be sent to multiple information networks, public safety alerting systems, and personal communications devices. 

All EAS participants – including cable operators – must have the capability to receive CAP-formatted EAS messages by June 30, 2012. 

If you do not have the ability to receive CAP-formatted EAS messages, you should consider applying for a waiver. While the FCC declined to grant a blanket exemption from the EAS rules for cable systems with 500 or fewer subscribers as requested by ACA, the FCC will consider waivers on a case-by-case basis and will generally review the facts and circumstances on their own merits.  

Moreover, the American Cable Association has asked the FCC to reconsider establishing a streamlined waiver process for cable systems with 500 or fewer subscribers that lack a wireline Internet connection. At this time, the FCC has put ACA’s petition for reconsideration on public notice for comment from interested parties. 

If you have questions about the EAS/CAP requirement, please contact James Moskowitz at (202) 872-6881 or jmoskowitz@cm-chi.com.