The FCC's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) has announced it is seeking public comment on what changes might be required to the Commission's Emergency Alert System (EAS) rules caused by the introduction of the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP). The bureau also wants to know what impact the deployment of FEMA's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) might have on EAS policies.
In July of 2007, the Commission mandated that all EAS participants must accept CAP-based alerts 180 days after FEMA publishes the adopted CAP technical standards. FEMA recently indicated this adoption will likely occur in the third quarter of 2010, triggering the 180-day requirement.
In addition to comments regarding immediate effects, the PSHSB is asking commenters to identify rule changes that could also "advance or facilitate introduction of a CAP-based Next Generation EAS architecture." The bureau hopes to minimize future rule changes, or at least provide enough flexibility within the rules to allow for yet-defined technological innovations.
Finally, PSHSB is seeking comment on the required rule changes to ensure people with disabilities and non-English speaking individuals have access to a CAP-based EAS.
Comments from the public are due on or before May 17, 2010 and reply comments are due on or before June 14, 2010.
All the best,
Lorin
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In July of 2007, the Commission mandated that all EAS participants must accept CAP-based alerts 180 days after FEMA publishes the adopted CAP technical standards. FEMA recently indicated this adoption will likely occur in the third quarter of 2010, triggering the 180-day requirement.
In addition to comments regarding immediate effects, the PSHSB is asking commenters to identify rule changes that could also "advance or facilitate introduction of a CAP-based Next Generation EAS architecture." The bureau hopes to minimize future rule changes, or at least provide enough flexibility within the rules to allow for yet-defined technological innovations.
Finally, PSHSB is seeking comment on the required rule changes to ensure people with disabilities and non-English speaking individuals have access to a CAP-based EAS.
Comments from the public are due on or before May 17, 2010 and reply comments are due on or before June 14, 2010.
All the best,
Lorin
