U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation
U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation
RSS Feed
Privacy Policy
Legislation by Congress
109th | 110th
DTV Transition: Information for Consumers
Default Large Extra Large Home Text Only Site Map
Print
Press ReleasesPress Releases
For Immediate Release
04/10/08
Contact: Joe Brenckle - Republican Press Office 202-224-3991
Brian Eaton w/Stevens 202-224-0445
Email This
Print This
Stevens Commends FCC for Implementing Wireless Emergency Alert System
Alert System Would Assist Emergency Coordinators Alert the Public
 
WASHINGTON D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today commended the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for implementing a wireless emergency alert system to better alert the public during a crisis or disaster.  The Senate approved the alert system known as the Warning, Alert, and Response Network (WARN) in September of 2006.  It was signed into law last October by President George W. Bush as part of the Safe Accountability For Every (SAFE) Port Act of 2006.  The FCC approved the plan on Wednesday.
 
“I am pleased to see the FCC’s action in implementing the wireless alert system,” said Senator Stevens.  “When it comes to warning the public about a natural disaster or crisis, every second counts.  This new alert system will be of critical importance to Alaskans, it will provide fishermen, hunters and others with access to emergency alerts as long as they have cell phones.  This is vital to public safety because so much of our world is connected through wireless communications devices.”
 
Warning, Alert, and Response Network (WARN)
 
  • The Warning, Alert, and Response Network (WARN) is a national system for the transmission of public safety alerts across a broad variety of communications technologies including wireless applications. 
 
  • This action essentially moves the Emergency Alert System out of the broadcast radio and television era and into the wireless age.   
 
  • In addition to the threat posed by terrorist attacks, the system created by this amendment will give our emergency managers the ability to alert communities of other hazards such as natural disasters and manmade accidents.
 
  • The measure ensures that when disaster strikes, the wireless network will be used as a tool so that almost all Americans will be notified through radio, television and wireless communications devices, because there are over 200 million wireless subscribers in the United States.  
 
  • Additionally, capabilities will allow other emergency managers to reach individuals away from their
TVs or radios with specific life saving instructions.
 
 
                                   ###  
« Previous Press Release Press Releases Next Press Release »
 
April 2008 Press Releases  « March | May »   « 2007 | 2009 » 
30th -  Commerce Committee to Explore Improving Climate Change Modeling
28th -  Science Subcommittee Announces NASA Reauthorization Hearing
28th -  Commerce Committee to Hear Testimony from DOC General Counsel, Assistant Secretary Nominees
25th -  Commerce Committee Weekly Roundup for April 21 - 25, 2008
25th -  Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Hearing on Consumer Protections in Subprime Lending
25th -  Senator Stevens Pleased to See DOT Moving Forward on Increasing Fuel Economy
24th -  Inouye and Stevens Introduce Measure to Help Prevent Illegal Seafood from Entering U.S.
24th -  Commerce Committee Reports Inouye-Stevens Commercial Seafood Protection Act
24th -  Commerce Committee Approves Resolution Disapproving FCC Rule on Broadcast Media Ownership
24th -  Stevens Introduces Legislation to Combat Phantom Traffic
24th -  Commerce Committee Approves Maritime Pollution Prevention Act Sponsored by Senator Stevens
24th -  Senate Commerce Committee Approves Inouye-Stevens Legislation to Address Seafood Safety
23rd -  Commerce Committee Announces Aviation Hearing
22nd -  Inouye Seeks to Ensure Broadband and the Benefits of the Internet Reach All Americans
21st -  FCC Chairman Martin Added to Future of the Internet Hearing
18th -  Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Future of the Internet Hearing
18th -  Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Phantom Traffic Hearing
18th -  Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Hearing on Moving Passengers and Freight into the Future
18th -  Science Subcommittee Announces Witnesses for Reauthorization Hearing on National Nanotechnology Initiative
17th -  Senate Commerce Committee Announces April 24 Markup Agenda
15th -  Commerce Committee Announces Hearing to Review National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study
11th -  Commerce Committee to Explore the Future of the Internet
11th -  Science Subcommittee to Hold Reauthorization Hearing on National Nanotechnology Initiative
11th -  Commerce Committee Weekly Roundup for April 11th, 2008
11th -  Interstate Commerce Subcommittee to Examine Improving Consumer Protections in Subprime Lending
10th -  Inouye Aims to Ensure Hawaii’s Air Service Remains Strong
10th -  Stevens Advises FAA to Adopt Alaskan Tested Aviation Safety Programs
10th -  Inouye Seeks Answers to Recent Airline Safety Gaps
10th -  Commerce Committee Announces Additional Witnesses for Hearing on Hawaii’s Air Service Market
10th -  Stevens Sponsored Resolution to Make April 2008 “National 9-1-1 Education Month” Passes Senate
10th -  current Press Release
9th -  Senator Stevens Honored for His Work on Safety Issues Involving Kids and Motor Vehicles
9th -  Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Hearing on Hawaii’s Air Service Market
8th -  Stevens Advises FCC and NTIA that DTV Transition Should be Their Top Priority
8th -  Inouye Expresses Concern about Coming DTV Transition
8th -  Inouye and Dorgan Introduce Bill to Reauthorize Federal Trade Commission
7th -  Commerce Committee Announces Full Committee Hearing on Challenges Facing Hawaii’s Air Service Market
7th -  CORRECTION: Aviation Subcommittee Announces Witnesses for Aviation Safety Hearing
4th -  Commerce Committee Weekly Roundup for April 4th, 2008
4th -  Commerce Subcommittee Announces Witnesses for Coal Gasification Technologies Hearing
4th -  Martin and Baker to Testify at Commerce Committee’s DTV Oversight Hearing
3rd -  Stevens Calls for Aggressive Approach to Protect Arctic Ocean Fisheries
3rd -  Commerce Subcommittee to Hold Coal Gasification Technologies Hearing
2nd -  Senate Commerce Committee Postpones April 2 Markup
2nd -  Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Hearing on International Fisheries
 
Audio Clip icon Audio Clip | Video Clip icon Video Clip
Public Information Office: 508 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg • Washington, DC 20510-6125
Tel: 202-224-5115
Hearing Room: 253 Russell Senate Office Bldg • Washington, DC 20510-6125
Home | Text Only | Site Map | Help/Faqs | Search | Contact
Privacy Policy | Best Viewed | Plug-Ins
Back to TopBack to Top