Yesterday the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a press release on how it will alert the public with text messages in case of a national or more local emergency. The First Report and Order "will support the ability of the nation’s wireless carriers to transmit timely and accurate alerts, warnings and critical information to the cell phones and other mobile devices of consumers during disasters or other emergencies." The Order is in compliance with the WARN Act, which I have reported on previously (1, 2, 3), and looks to be one of the first statements issued to telecommunication providers that offers guidance on how the legislation should be implemented.

I spoke to Rob Kenney at the FCC to clarify how the alerts will be issued geographically. For now, a county is the smallest geographic level available but could be more localized depending on the carriers network operations and individuals who opt in to the service, according to Mr. Kenney. In terms of a natural disaster such as a hurricane or tornado, which may span multiple counties, the alerts will be sent to the affected regions. State officials, emergency management agencies or first responders will have a say in how the alerts are sent. Presidential Alerts will be issued nationally.