According to the New Jersey Broadcasters Association (NJBA), the New Jersey State Police has agreed to proceed with the procurement of technology for replacing the aging emergency alert system across the state. Old analog hardware will be replaced with new, redundant digital equipment.
As discussed in our previous post, this move comes ahead of an upcoming nationwide push by the FCC and FEMA to replace antiquated EAS hardware currently managed by radio and television broadcast stations with fully digital equipment.
EAS is first and foremost a method for issuing Presidential alerts in the event of a national emergency. However, these systems can also be accessed by Governors or authorized local public safety agencies in the event of eminent threats or AMBER alerts.
Though the mandate for making the switch has yet to be issued, broadcasters across the country have expressed concern with the cost implications and proposed timetables (the broadcasters will be required to bear the cost as a requirement for maintaining an FCC license unless other funding sources arise). It appears as if New Jersey has taken the lead in figuring out how to get funding to support the stations' efforts.
NJBA President Paul Rotella said, “We are particularly gratified by the very earnest work of our dedicated law enforcement community, including our State Police, Office of Emergency Management and the Governor’s office and legislature in recognizing this urgent public safety need in our state”.
All the best,
Lorin
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