On September 29, APCO filed reply comments urging the Federal Communications Commission to prioritize two improvements essential to effective public alerting: (1) ensuring that alerts are authentic and validated, thereby eliminating or significantly reducing the risk of false alerts resulting from unauthorized or invalid transmissions; and (2) tightening geotargeting so that alerts are only received by those for whom they are intended and relevant.
APCO Reply Comments Regarding WEA and EMS A
Senators Introduce Bill to Support Wireless Emergency Alerts From Satellites
U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) have introduced the Mystic Alerts Act (S. 4968), which would encourage satellite-based service providers to transmit wireless emergency alerts (WEAs).
APCO Applauds FCC Actions to Modernize 9-1-1 Reliability Requirements and Improve Emergency Alerts
Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted two orders that advance the interests of public safety by modernizing 9-1-1 reliability requirements and strengthening the security of emergency alerting systems.
Federal Communications Commission Will Vote on NG9-1-1 Reliability and Emergency Alerting Measures Next Week
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.
Lulu’s Law, Promoting Shark Attack Warnings and Beach Safety, Is Headed to the President’s Desk for Signature
This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Lulu’s Law (S. 1003), which directs the FCC to issue an order providing that Wireless Emergency Alerts may be used for shark attacks — helping ensure that beachgoers can receive warnings to their mobile phones to help keep them safe.
Written Testimony: Legislative Improvements to Public Safety Communications in the United States
FCC Advances New Enhancements for Wireless Emergency Alerts
On December 18, the Federal Communications Commission set effective dates for new rules enhancing the multilingual capabilities for Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs).
APCO Reply Comments: Alerting Modernization
APCO Offers Recommendations to Modernize Emergency Alerting
On November 18, 2025, APCO filed reply comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on modernizing the nation’s alerting systems.
APCO Comments on Wireless Emergency Alerts — Public Safety Messages
Ex Parte: Multilingual WEA Templates (PSHSB)
APCO Discusses Public Safety Priorities with FCC Leaders
On May 16 and 20, APCO met with representatives from the Offices of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioners Carr, Starks, Simington, and Gomez to discuss several public safety issues.
APCO Supports FCC Proposal to Create New EAS Code for Missing and Endangered Adults
On May 20, APCO filed comments with the FCC supporting rule changes to establish a new code to be used in the Emergency Alert System (EAS) for missing and endangered adults.
Comments: Missing and Endangered Persons EAS Code
Comments: Wireless Emergency Alerts (FNPRM)
APCO Recommends Measures to Improve Wireless Emergency Alerts
APCO filed comments with the FCC regarding improvements to Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). The WEA system is used by authorized public safety agencies to send emergency messages to mobile devices in specified geographic areas.
