FCC Examining Modernization of EAS and WEA
Link to Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/26/2025-16333/modernization-of-the-nations-alerting-systems
I wanted to share an opportunity for those with alert and warning experiences to share their thoughts on a proposed rule making that impacts WEA and EAS.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to reexamine the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). The FCC has historically improved alerting by updating existing frameworks, this NPRM starts with principles and asking what goals the nation's alerting systems should serve.
In this notice, the FCC is seeking input on whether fundamental changes could make these systems more effective and resilient. Key areas of focus include:
- Objectives of Alerting Systems
- Role of Alerting Authorities
- Transmission Capabilities
- Content of Alerts
- How the Public Receives Alerts
- Economic Impact on Small Entities
- Alternative Methodologies
The notice provides an opportunity to rethink how these systems should evolve to reflect modern capabilities and public safety needs. Some key areas they discuss in the notice include (non-exhaustive list):
- Geographic precision, such as dynamic targeting for moving hazards (e.g., tornadoes or wildfires), and minimizing overshoot.
- Which levels of government (federal, state, tribal, territorial, local) should issue alerts, and how should duplication or overlap be addressed?
- How to ensure national-level alerts remain effective, including consideration of new formats such as video-based alerts.
- Whether certain private entities (such as utilities) should be able to issue safety-related alerts directly, and what oversight would be necessary.
- How could the systems better support machine-to-machine alerts or integration with modern communications technologies.
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