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    • The PBS WARN Project

    The PBS WARN project provides a satellite-based backup to any cellular carrier that participates in sending geotargeted Wireless Emergency Alert messages from FEMA to their subscribers.

    Transmitting across 367 stations in all states and territories, the PBS distribution of the Wireless Emergency Alert messages will reach virtually any cellular network operations center in the country.

    PBS WARN is the channel of last resort. When even the internet is down, PBS stations can help keep their communities informed with an alternative pathway for this critical next generation of emergency alerts. Because of the WARN program, cellular operators that could not otherwise be able to add redundancy to their operations will be able to keep their subscribers as well informed as if they had their own satellite backup system.

    The WARN project is funded by a Department of Commerce grant through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
     

    PBS WARN Contacts

    Dana Golub, Executive Director (dgolub@pbs.org, 919-834-2259)
    Aaron Silverman, Communications Director (amsilverman@pbs.org, 703-739-5054)
    John Kulstad, Senior Broadcast Engineer (jmkulstad@pbs.org, 703-739-5490)
    Susana Lopez, Senior Administrative Manager (smlopez@pbs.org, 703-739-5268)
     

    Additional Information for Carriers

    The PBS WARN system is a highly reliable, diverse and low-cost distribution channel for delivering Cellular Mobile Alert System (CMAS) emergency messages from FEMA to Commercial Mobile Service Providers (CMSPs). PBS WARN benefits carriers and hosting companies by:

    - Adding reliability to a CMAS delivery system;
    - Resisting cyber attack;
    - Offering immunity from internet disruptions; and
    - Not incurring significant operating expenses.

    Icon Learn more about the PBS WARN system (3.3 MB)

    Additional Information for PBS Member Stations

    Public television stations, by virtue of their community-based mission and wide distribution throughout the United States, provide an ideal platform to provide a backup method of transmitting Wireless Enabled Alert (WEA) messages, should the primary link to FEMA become unavailable.

    All stations in the U.S. with valid Non-Commercial Educational licenses who receive programming from HD-01 transponder 24 are required by the FCC to carry WEA messages over-the-air as part of their broadcast stream.

    The PBS WARN team has designed a highly redundant system to enable qualifying stations to meet this FCC mandate. The NTIA grant allows us to provide the necessary equipment to every station in the country.

    Stations in need of WARN Turn-Up Instructions can access them by logging in to myPBS.org and searching for WARN.