Norton Hearing to Make Sure Early Warning Systems Really Warn of Disasters (6/4/08)

Norton Hearing to Make Sure Early Warning Systems Really Warn of Disasters

June 4, 2008

Washington, D.C. î º Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Chair of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management will hold a hearing today, Wednesday, June 4, 2008, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, in room 2167 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing entitled, "Assuring Public Alert Systems Work to Warn American Citizens of Natural and Terrorists Disasters," will focus on the status of the Emergency Alert System (EAS), and new ways the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can warn and update residents about the emergency broadcast such as, pagers, cell phones, computers and additional personal communication devices.

Norton is co-sponsor of H.R. 6038, the "Integrated Public Alerts and Warning Systems Modernization Act of 2008." Because she represents the District of Columbia, she is particularly concerned and anxious for FEMA to modernize, expand and integrate existing emergency alert warning systems. Currently, broadcast radio and television stations, cable television systems and satellite operators are required to participate in national-level EAS alerts, but participation in state and local EAS alerts are voluntary.

Norton has primary jurisdiction over FEMA. The agency is responsible for administering the national EAS with assistance from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for ensuring compliance o regulations. The FCC requires that broadcast and cable stations install FCC-certified EAS equipment as a condition of licensing.

The District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and 42 of 50 states have activated EAS at a state level. Witnesses scheduled to testify before the Subcommittee include; Mr. Larry Gispert, President of the International Association of Emergency Managers; Mr. Christopher Guttman-McCabe, Vice-President, Regulatory Affairs, CTIA - The Wireless Association, Mr. James T. Judkins, Jr., Emergency Management Coordinator, Derek K. Poarch, Chief of Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau, Major General Martha T. Rainville, Assistant Administrator of the National Continuity Program Directorate for FEMA and Mr. Michael Womack, Director of the Mississippi State Emergency Management Agency.