FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has announced his proposed agenda for the Commission Meeting scheduled for June 25. Among other items, the FCC commissioners are scheduled to vote on public safety matters of particular importance to APCO members. The FCC will consider and vote on requirements intended to promote Next Generation 9-1-1 reliability and interoperability. Among these requirements, 911 Authorities would be empowered to obtain confidential information from service providers about the reliability and interoperability of their networks. APCO previously submitted initial comments and reply comments with the FCC urging the adoption of reliability and interoperability requirements, including real-world testing, to ensure these features are built into NG9-1-1 networks from the start. APCO also emphasized the need to adopt a standard definition of interoperability. The FCC will also seek comment on the development of an interoperability testing regime. The FCC will also consider and vote on measures to safeguard and modernize the nation’s alert and warning systems — the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) — including through targeted cybersecurity requirements and proposals to improve geographic accuracy and include the use of symbols in alert messages. APCO previously expressed support for FCC efforts to strengthen emergency alerts, such as the inclusion of multimedia in WEA messages and enforcement of geotargeting requirements to ensure alerts are accurately delivered only to those for whom they are relevant. Members with questions or concerns about either of these FCC initiatives are welcome to contact the Government Relations Office.
