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 have questions about the EAS/CAP requirement, please contact Bruce Beard at (314) 394-1535 or bbeard@cm-chi.com.