The FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau today issued a public notice seeking comments on ways to spur earthquake-related emergency alerts. Comments are due May 9 and replies June 8 in PS docket 16-32.

In fiscal year 2016 omnibus appropriations legislation enacted last December (TRDaily, Dec. 18, 2015), Congress directed the FCC “to submit a report within nine months of enactment (i.e., by September 18, 2016), that details the regulatory and statutory framework for delivery of earthquake-related emergency alerts using the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS),” the public notice observed. “Specifically, the Act states: [‘]The FCC shall submit a report to Congress within 9 months of enactment of this act detailing all regulatory and statutory changes that would be necessary to ensure that earthquake-related emergency alerts using the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System and other associated alerting systems can be delivered to and received by the public in fewer than 3 seconds. The report shall include an analysis of signals, cell phone protocols, geographic targeting, and limitations on message length and content, as well as similar parameters associated with the dissemination of alerts by non-wireless providers.[‘]”

“To assist the Commission in developing its report to Congress, particularly given the comprehensive and technical scope of the information requested, the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau seeks comment on the issues discussed below,” the public notice said. “In particular, we seek comment on technical aspects of IPAWS and its associated alerting systems, as well as other alerting schemes with which the Commission has not previously been involved, in order to build a robust record on potential models for delivering earthquake early warning (EEW) to the entire public in fewer than three seconds.” —Paul Kirby, paul.kirby@wolterskluwer.com

Courtesy TRDaily