The Federal Communications Commission is set to review the US emergency alert systems, including the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WAS). FCC Chairman Brendan Carr stated the agency aims to ensure these programs meet the needs of Americans. The review comes as the EAS infrastructure, spanning radio, television, satellite, and cable, is now 31 years old, while the WAS mobile alert system is 13 years old.
The FCC will evaluate which entities should have authorization to send alerts, alongside examining geographic targeting and security measures. This re-examination follows recent scrutiny of emergency communication systems after devastating floods in central Texas resulted in over 130 deaths. Concerns were raised about whether residents received sufficient warnings to evacuate and whether budget cuts to the National Weather Service impacted the effectiveness of alerts.
The review highlights the need to modernize emergency alert systems to improve responsiveness and reliability in critical situations. With aging infrastructure and evolving threats, the FCC’s assessment could lead to updates ensuring faster, more accurate warnings for the public.
