EAS system placed on standby

[Sean Donelan <sean () donelan com>]

FEMA requested the primary emergency alert broadcast stations
be prepared to in case primary communications media fail.  I
assume this is just a standard precaution FEMA has built into
their emergency response plan.

Interestingly enough, no one was available at the FCC to confirm
if broadcast stations can suspend the RWT and RMT transmissions
(foundly known as "duck farts") as part of the scheduled tests.

> GREETINGS;
>
> THE NATION FACES A GRAVE CRISIS.
>
> PRIMARY ENTRY POINT STATIONS FOR THE EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM SHOULD PREPARE
> TO MAN THE SHELTERS AT THE TRANSMITTER SITES FOR THE DURATION OF THE
> NATIONAL CRISIS.
>
> MAKE ANY AND ALL PREPARATIONS TO ACTIVATE THE PEP IF REQUIRED.  KEEP
> CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION OPEN AND AVAILABLE.  MOVE ANY SUPPLIES TO THE
> SHELTER AREA THAT MAY BE REQUIRED (FOOD, WATER, SANITARY SUPPLIES).  HAVE
> THE ALTERNATE COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA UP AND OPERATIONAL, BE PREPARED TO
> PATCH IT IN IF THE PRIMARY COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA FAILS.
>
> ANY TESTING OR SCHEDULED TESTING OF THE EAS OR PEP SYSTEM IS TO BE
> SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
>
> I WILL KEEP YOU INFORMED TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.
>
> PUTPRUSH SENDS
>
> TIMOTHY L. PUTPRUSH,  FEMA PEP PROJECT MANAGER