FCC issues wildfire guidelines

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Stations in Los Angeles that may be in the path of the fires raging there are being granted flexibility by the FCC, both to use temporary facilities and to go silent or dark if necessary.


Stations requiring Special Temporary Authority for reasons prompted by the fires may use informal letters, email of the FCC’s CDBS database to apply. The FCC says, “These requests will be handled as expeditiously as possible. Requests should include the following certification:” “Neither the applicant nor any party to this application is subject to a denial of federal benefits that includes FCC benefits pursuant to Section 5301 of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, 21 U.S.C. § 862.”

Contacts:

* AM and FM Stations:  Norm Miller or Peter Doyle, 202 418-2767/2789
([email protected] or [email protected])

* Television Stations:  Kevin Harding or Barbara Kreisman, 202 418-1600
([email protected] or [email protected])

Stations are being allowed to do what they need to do on the temporary antenna front, and let the FCC know later. A rule already on the books “also allows AM stations to use a horizontal or vertical wire or a non-directional vertical element of a directional antenna as an emergency antenna.” If the temporary antenna use will be prolonged, an STA must be applied for within ten business days of its initial use, effective until 10/31/09.

Contacts:

* AM and FM Stations:  Norm Miller, 202 418-2767 ([email protected])

* Television Stations:  Kevin Harding, 202 418-1600 ([email protected])

* Low Power Television Stations:  Hossein Hashemzadeh, 202 418-1600 ([email protected])

AM stations may use full daytime power at night, as long as the use is on a nomcommercial basis. This is based on the “licensee’s good faith determination that such operations are necessary to the safety of life or property or where dangerous conditions of a general nature exist.  Licensees must notify the Commission within 48 hours of the commencement of such operations.”

Contact:

* Norm Miller, 202 418-2767 ([email protected])

Finally, stations that are forced to shut down are encouraged to inform the FCC immediately, but notifications of silence will be accepted without penalty within 30 days of shutting down and requests to remain silent within 60 days.

Contacts:

* AM and FM Stations:  Norm Miller, 202 418-2767 ([email protected])

* Television Stations:  Kevin Harding, 202 418-1600 ([email protected])

* Low Power Television Stations:  Hossein Hashemzadeh, 202 418-1600 ([email protected])

RBR/TVBR observation: One of the finest legacies of Chairman Kevin Martin was establishing the FCC as one of the finest government agencies when responding to a crisis, a reputation established during Hurricane Katrina, when many other portions of the government were falling apart. It’s not surprising the FCC is making a special effort to keep that legacy alive.