Emergency warning – Hard and often surprising warning notifications that appear on mobile, TV and radio – are changing, the FCC has announced, including the category of new “National Alerts” that you will not be able to choose – from. The emergency warning system and wireless emergency warnings can be used for everything starting from the warning of forest fires until the announcement of incoming ballistic missiles, although in recent years the lack of existing systems has become clear.
It was clear in early 2018, when the commemoration of the missile attack was sent in Hawaii. Residents are advised to “look for immediate shelters” from the incoming ballistic warheads, with the promise that “this is not an exercise.”
Apparently, though, even though it might not be a drill is not a real emergency. The FCC investigated and found that a misunderstanding at the Hawaii (HI-EMA) emergency management agency leads to the wrong warning. That, the word FCC now, “highlights the need to improve this system.”
The result will be an update that makes it clearer how, why, and when the warning must be used. This will combine the current category of “Presidential Warning” – tested in 2018, and those who do not have opt-out support on devices that receive wireless emergency warnings – with notifications from the FEMA administrator. The resulting categories will be known as “national warnings” and are also not optional.
To avoid panic Hawaii style in the future, the FCC encourages all states to form the State Emergency Communication Committee. They will be responsible for finding out the warning distribution at the state level, or to review how the existing committee can do that now. New rules about repeated warnings have also been developed, and there is a reporting mechanism for false emergency warnings to the 24/7 FCC operation center.
“This is progress,” Jessica Rosenworcel, Chair of the FCC Chair, said about changes in a statement. “But there is still more to do. With a storm and the fire season above us, along with the challenges of lingering from a pandemic, we will rely on the emergency warning system more than before. So today we kick regulations to discuss our additional ways Can increase warnings, based on recommendations from our colleagues at Fema. In addition, on August 11 we will hold a national test of an emergency warning system and wireless emergency warnings to develop further insights on how we can improve this soul-saving system. “
One of the main considerations of the new policy is to ensure that, while remaining in an emergency, people are also not overwhelmed and end with too many warnings.
FCC looks for feedback about the proposed changes, and there are many questions that aim to collectively answer in full amendment documents.