Washington - Dec 3, 2007 - The FCC's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) has released the 2007 Emergency Alert System (EAS) Handbooks for EAS participants. This year's handbooks include newly developed guidance for satellite digital audio radio, direct broadcast satellite and wireline video service providers. In addition, the existing handbooks have been updated for analog and digital television and radio stations, as well as cable systems.

The handbooks provide guidance and instructions for national, state and local EAS activations and highlight appropriate testing procedures. The materials also include sample scripts that may be used by broadcasters and other participants during EAS activations and tests.

FCC rules require copies of the handbooks to be located at "normal duty positions or EAS equipment locations when an operator is required to be on duty and be immediately available to staff responsible for authenticating messages and initiating actions"

The new handbooks are available for download through the FCC website at www.fcc.gov/pshs/eas.