Emergency Alert and Mass Notification Systems

1951 - CONELRAD

1963 - CONELRAD replaced by Emergency Broadcast System (EBS)

1971 - Erroneous “Attack Warning” sent to EBS by NORAD, EBS policy changed to alerts authorized by the president only

1976 - Emergency Broadcast System automation improved with the two-tone warning signal, state and local authorities, FEMA, and NWS added to system

1983 - work starts on replacing the EBS message distribution system with the Primary Entry Points, completed in 1995

1992 - Cable Act requires cable television providers to participate in EBS, FEMA funds research into automation for unattended stations and cable headends

1994 - Emergency Broadcast System replaced by Emergency Alert System, which uses digital packets for automation

1997 - Emergency Alert System hardware becomes mandatory for radio stations

2001 - Emergency Alert System hardware becomes mandatory for all cable operators

Partnership for Public Warning - The Amergency Alert System, An Assessment (2004)