In a recent press release, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced a “cooperative effort with Premiere Networks and private sector broadcasters that will provide an alternative method for radio stations to receive emergency information during a national emergency.”

The press release announced that “FEMA has added Premiere Networks—a nationally-syndicated audio network that reaches more than 190 million weekly listeners—as a Primary Entry Point station, which delivers information and instructions to the public in an emergency when there is no commercial power.  As part of the cooperative effort, Premiere, would use its satellite program receivers in thousands of affiliate radio stations across the country as another tool for delivering national Emergency Alert System (EAS) messages.  The radio affiliates would in turn broadcast the emergency messages to the public within its network.”

“This cooperative effort between FEMA and Premiere Networks is one of the latest initiatives to engage the private sector’s cooperation in raising community preparedness across the nation,” said Damon Penn, assistant administrator of FEMA’s National Continuity Program. “We count on the broadcasting industry to alert and warn the public through the standard broadcast EAS, including AM, FM, and satellite radio, as well as broadcast, cable, and satellite TV, if a national emergency occurs,” said Penn.

According to the press release, “FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System or IPAWS permits national emergency alert messages to be delivered simultaneously through multiple communications devices.  While a presidential EAS message has never been activated, IPAWS provides the president with a way to address the American people within 10 minutes of a national emergency.  Other alerting authorities include state, local, territorial, and tribal public safety officials designated to communicate alerts.”