This annex describes the process for staffing, operating and maintaining a warning system in the event of an emergency.  It also provides instructions for dissemination of warning information to response agencies and the general public throughout the County.
 

1. The County Warning Point will normally initiate notification and warning.
    
2. Broadcast media will be relied upon to assist in the dissemination of warning to the general public.
    
3. Operational telephone and/or radio communications may be utilized to notify public officials, Emergency Operations Center staff, emergency personnel and others as required.
    
4. Emergency service vehicles are available for warning the general public.
    
5. Special Needs groups or persons in group quarters may have to be provided special warning and notification.

1. Current forms of warning may necessitate augmentation in order to provide sufficient warning to the general public and special needs populations.
    
2. Use of mobile public address systems and/or house to house alert warning may be necessary when the urgency of the particular hazard requires immediate evacuation action or when there is a failure of other fixed warning systems.

1. National Weather Service (NWS) National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio Service
    
2. Emergency Alert System (EAS)
    
3. State Operated Two Way Radio Systems
    
4. N.C. Division of Criminal Information (DCI)
    
5. Local Government Radios
    
6. Sirens, horns, or mobile public address systems
    
7. Telephone

1. The  N.C. Highway Patrol serves as the State Warning Point at the Raleigh Communications Center. NWS alerts are received there from Federal agencies and, on occasion, the public.
    
2. Warning received from the site of an emergency is normally reported to the County Warning Point.
    
3. Notification of governmental officials and emergency response personnel from the County Warning Point will follow established procedures.
    
4. Jurisdictions adjoining Bertie County will be notified through the Communications Center or by the quickest possible method in the event an incident occurs within Bertie County that may cause adverse affects across jurisdictional lines.

1. Emergency Alert System (EAS)
    
2. Weather alert radios
    
3. Mobile public address systems as appropriate
    
4. Siren system
    
5. House to house alert by emergency personnel

1. Hearing impaired, special needs groups, persons in group quarters and non‑English speaking groups are notified by the most expedient means possible. Usually the message will ask citizens to assist in the evacuation of these special groups.
    
2. Public schools, hospitals and other special warning locations are notified by emergency personnel at the County Warning Point.

1. Chairman of the Board of Commissioners
    
2. Emergency Management Coordinator
    
3. County Manager

Attachment 1
Emergency Alert System (EAS)
 

The prompt reporting of emergency information and recommended protective actions by Federal, State, business, industry and utility officials to the County Warning Point. These reports include severe weather watches and warnings as well as other hazards, such as dam failures, hazardous materials and other threats to the citizens of Bertie County as shown in the Basic Plan.
 

Attachment 2
EAS Broadcast Procedure
 

This procedure provides a list by title of government persons who are authorized to activate the Emergency Alert System (EAS) at or from the local level and prescribes the steps to be followed by government and which should be followed by the broadcast media to disseminate emergency information to the general public.
 

The individuals shown below are authorized to request activation of the EAS in order to disseminate emergency information and instructions. A mutually agreeable method of authentication by code has been established. The EAS LP1 (station) has furnished the County and/or State with a list of telephone numbers to be used by the authorized personnel when requesting activation of the EAS.
 

1. Prepare in writing the exact information to be broadcast.
    
2. Call the State Warning Point (Emergency Management - Operations) and give title, name and political subdivision represented and request the EAS be activated for the operational area.
    
3. Upon request, give authentication code.
    
4. The State Warning Point should acknowledge the authentication code.
    
5. Upon request of the Warning Point, read text prepared for emergency alert notification.
    
6. Follow other instructions as given by the State Warning Point (NC Emergency Management).

1. LP1 (or the local primary station) will disseminate the emergency information through AM-FM radio or TV according to the State Plan.
    
2. A Primary Station will disseminate the emergency information only through its own facility.
    
3. Follow-up messages as needed, upon request of the originating officials.

1. Have a written termination notice specifying the hazard to be terminated.
    
2. Call  the State Warning Point and give title, name and political subdivision represented and request the EAS be terminated.
    
3. Upon request, give authentication code.
    
4. Upon request, read the termination message, concluding with the statement "This concludes this activation of the Emergency Alert System".

Scheduled or random tests should be conducted so that a radio station and county operations become familiar with this procedure on all shifts. EAS tests are often conducted by the stations on a random basis.