The Emergency Broadcast System (EBS) was established in 1963. It was replaced with the Emergency Alert System (EAS) nationwide on January 1, 1997. Like the EBS, the EAS is a warning system. It is used to provide the public with immediate alert messages that affect life and property. The most common reasons to activate the new EAS today include 911 system failures, tornado, other severe weather warnings, hazardous material incidents, evacuation orders, and other threats. The EAS is composed of broadcast networks, cable networks, program suppliers, AM/FM radio stations, TV broadcast stations, and other entities and industries operating on an organized basis during emergencies at the national, state, or local levels. The EAS may be used to provide the heads of state and local government, or their designated representatives, with a means of emergency communication with the public in their state or local area.
Clark County in conjunction with other governmental and private partners, has established an alert warning system capable of disseminating adequate and timely warning to the public in the event of a threatened disaster.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
What is EAS?
EAS is the new Emergency Alert System adopted by the Federal Communications Commission to replace the old Emergency Broadcast System and will be a universal tool to route emergency messages to the public swiftly and efficiently. The EAS features a digital signaling technique that was developed by NOAA Weather Radio more than 8 years. This means that broadcasters, cable-casters, and NOAA will distribute emergency messages in exactly the same format with the identical signaling method known as SAME (Specific Area Message Encoding.)
What is a civil alert emergency radio?
A civil alert emergency receiver is a radio receiver that you have in your home, business, or public facility to warn and inform you of a local emergency event or major disaster. This receiver will alert you of a local emergency 24 hours a day.
Where can I purchase a civil alert emergency radio?
For information and details on how to purchase an emergency alert receiver for your home or office please click here.
What radio station do I tune my new civil alert emergency radio to?
Your civil alert emergency radio will need to be tuned into KNPR-FM 88.9. It will receive and relay any alerts or tests to you. If you cannot tune into KNPR-FM 88.1 then tune into KXTE-FM 107.5; or, tune into your local radio station.
Is the Emergency Alert System ever tested?
Yes, the Emergency Alert System is tested every Saturday at 12:00 noon.
What should I do if my emergency alert receiver is activated during a real emergency?
1. Tune into your local news radio or TV station for latest breaking news.
2. Do not use your telephone or cellular phone unless it is an emergency.
3. Do not call 911 for non-emergency calls. Please call 311 instead.
4. Listen for specific instructions from your emergency alert receiver such as take shelter, close doors and windows, etc.
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Over the last several years, various state and local entities across the country have established child abduction alert systems in response to the growing number of child abduction cases across the country. Such systems, often referred to as the Amber Plan, represent voluntary partnerships between law enforcement agencies and local broadcasters in which law enforcement agencies can quickly activate notification systems through the resources of local media outlets whenever verified cases of child abductions occur. Broadcasters use the Emergency Alert System (EAS), formerly called the Emergency Broadcast System, to air a description of the missing child and suspected abductor. In each area where such systems exist, local officials believe that quickly distributing descriptive information regarding the child abducted as well as the alleged perpetrator of the crime is absolutely critical to the timely location of the child and the apprehension of the perpetrator.
When a child abduction alert is activated according to an Amber Plan they are referred to as Amber Alerts.
What can you do to help?
The Amber plan will soon be in place in Nevada; however, Clark County is trying to supplement notification efforts by developing and implementing other critical communications systems in Southern Nevada that can assist Metro in finding and returning abducted children.
One strategy Clark County has developed is a list-serv open to the public, whereby you can sign up to be placed on a list and will receive e-mail notifications should an Amber Alert occur.
How do I Sign Up?
If you are interested in receiving notification by email when the Amber Plan is activated and an Amber Alert is sent out, please send your e-mail address to the e-mail link listed below. Please write "Amber Alert" in the subject line, and include your e-mail address in the body of the e-mail.
Please be aware that while Amber Alerts regarding child abduction alerts are very serious, they do not happen very often.
Click here to sign up for notifications!
**NOTE: This is only one method to receive information in case of an Amber Alert. Radio and Television Stations will be broadcasting this information as well. If an Amber Alert Abduction happens outside regular work hours you may experience some delay in email notification through the list-serv.
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