Emergency Alert System

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Emergency Alert System

To: Consumer Contact List
From: Karen Peltz Strauss, RERC-TA
Re: Consumer Contact List - Emergency Alert System
Date: August13, 2004

The FCC has now released its NPRM on revising the Emergency Alert System (EAS). In the notice (see links below), paragraphs 36-39 focus on disability matters. In particular, paragraphs 38 and 39 seek specific guidance from the disability community on how to reconcile the EAS rules with other emergency alert requirements contained in the FCC's rules (comment dates have not yet been set):

38. We note that section 79.2 of the Commission's rules specifies particular triggering events and methods for emergency transmittal separate from those required by EAS. We seek comment on whether there are disparities in or conflicts between our EAS rules and those contained in section 79.2 that should be reconciled or combined and the manner in which such disparities or conflicts could be resolved in subsequent rules.

39. We also note that the digital and alternative technologies discussed in paragraphs 29 to 30 above may have particular benefits for persons with hearing and vision disabilities. We seek comment on how individuals with disabilities can be notified of EAS activation or other emergency alerts by such means. Such comments should address whether particular technological and economic resources associated with bringing state of the art emergency notification to the disabled community are adequate and, if not, what additional provisions are necessary. They should also address what the associated burdens would be of adding such resources.

REVIEW OF THE EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM. Examined the EAS, and seek comment on whether EAS can be improved to be a more effective mechanism for warning the American public of an emergency. (Dkt No. 04-296).Action by: the Commission. Adopted: 08/04/2004 by NPRM. (FCC No.04-189). EB

This page last updated:August 13, 2004

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