FCC Explores Modernizing Emergency Alert System

- Redundancy Key Consideration

The FCC is weighing approaches to modernizing the Emergency Alert System in an effort to ensure that consumers can be reached no matter which kind of technology platform they’re using to consume content.

Local Radio and TV broadcasters continue to serve as the backbone of the system, are mandated by the federal government to acquire, upgrade, maintain and test the alerting technology at their own expense, and are liable for costly fines if they fail to do so.

As consumers have become accustomed to hearing alerts on wireless digital devices in addition to over-the-air Radio and Television broadcasts, commission leaders are exploring whether alternative communications pathways could be leveraged to ensure redundancy of alerts and the degree to which the current approach to resiliency continues to be necessary.

In response to the notice of proposed rulemaking, NAB applauded the focus on exploring ways to enhance alerting systems and increase public safety and weighed in on several considerations, including:

• Enhancing the effectiveness of alert originators with additional funding, training and collaboration
• Ensuring that government agencies maintain exclusive authority to issue EAS alerts
• Preserving the existing EAS alerting presentation while considering voluntary options for enhanced video-rich alerts
• Continuing the rule that EAS participation be mandatory only for presidential alerts
• Acknowledging that redundancy is the most effective way to ensure resilience
• Improving the geotargeting of EAS alerts and security of EAS
• Expanding EAS to additional media platforms

NAB’s comments highlighted broadcasters’ lifesaving work in emergency alerting across the country in recent months, including Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the Texas Hill Country floods in July, and the Los Angeles wildfires in January.

Questions? Contact Oscar Rodriguez or call (512) 322-9944.