The FCC has adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to re-examine the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). The NPRM will explore whether fundamental changes to these systems could make them more effective, efficient, and better able to serve the public’s needs. Specifically, the NPRM will: (1) seek comment on the objectives for effective alert and warning systems; (2) explore which entities need to be able to send alerts; (3) consider the alert transmission capabilities that a national public alert and warning system must have to achieve its objectives; (4) ask whether EAS and WEA are meeting the needs and expectations of both the public and alerting authorities; (5) seek information on whether redesign or targeted changes would allow EAS and WEA to fully reach their potential; and (6) examine the types of information and distribution methods needed to effectively convey information to the public through EAS and WEA.
