Sens. Kamala D. Harris (D., Calif.) and Dianne Feinstein (D., Calif.) have praised the FCC for circulating for consideration at its Jan. 30 meeting a draft order that would set a November 2019 deadline for carriers to improve geo-targeting of wireless emergency alerts (TR Daily, Jan. 9). “Californians are still recovering from some of the most devastating natural disasters in our state’s history. Part of that recovery must include assessing what can be done to prevent loss of life the next time a devastating series of wildfires, mudslides, or earthquakes, strike,” they said in a joint statement.

“Timely emergency notifications on mobile devices can save lives. Enhanced geo-targeting of the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system would allow communities to more effectively alert residents of danger and give them more time to evacuate. We are pleased to see action on these concerns that we raised months ago to the Commission. The phones we carry with us everywhere we go have improved our lives in so many ways, they should also be able to alert us of an impending emergency.”

Courtesy TRDaily