APCO Calls for Consistency in Wireless Alerts
The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials supported creation of an independent public safety message classification as part of updated wireless emergency alert (WEA) rules. Comments were due Thursday on a Further NPRM on WEAs that commissioners approved 4-0 in February (see 2502270042). APCO acknowledged concerns that expanding the types of alerts “could contribute to alert fatigue.” But a new public safety message classification is “unlikely to result in a surge of alerts that would lead the public to opt out.”
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APCO cautioned the FCC “against enabling excessive customization capabilities that could make Public Safety Messages unrecognizable as WEAs.” Too many variations in how consumers receive WEAs “may reduce their effectiveness as urgent alerts requiring immediate attention.” The group also encouraged the FCC to investigate why some devices don’t support enhancements in alerts. “Consumers and alert originators will place more trust in WEA messages when their experiences are uniform across devices and service providers.”