Nationwide Emergency Alert System Needs Improvement

GAO (Government Accountability Office) released this week an updated report on FEMA's efforts to effectively integrate IPAWS (Integrated Public Alert and Warning System) into the nation's existing Emergency Alert System (EAS). Initiated in 2004, IPAWS is meant to integrate EAS participants (e.g. broadcast radio and television, cable operators, satellite radio and television providers, etc) and other public-alerting systems into a comprehensive public-alerting system that can help reduce property damage and save lives.

This marks the second review of IPAWS since 2009, but GAO found that the level of integration and effectiveness of the system has improved, but is still not yet up to par. In a nationwide test last year, most EAS broadcasters reported successful transmission of emergency alerts, but many broadcasters experienced poor-quality reception of messages or malfunctions of their communications equipment. FEMA has remarked that it is attempting to address this problem by deploying a dedicated satellite network that will become operational in 2013.

EAS broadcasters have also stated that further guidance from FEMA is needed on how to properly and effectively implement IPAWS into their current emergency communications infrastructure. GAO found that broadcasters are reluctant to fully implement IPAWS without guidance on proper policies and procedures.

Additionally, GAO reports that although the FCC (Federal Communication Commission) has rules that mandate regular nationwide EAS testing, the next test is currently unscheduled. GAO recommends that FEMA implement a "strategy for regular nationwide testing of the relay distribution system, including developing milestones and timeframes and reporting on after-action plans."

The report concludes that without further improvements, "there is no assurance that EAS would work as intended should the President need to activate it to communicate with the American people."

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