[sbe-eas] FCC Proposes New EAS Code for Missing and Endangered Persons

[Walke, Larry]

Here is a link to the FCC's draft NPRM about a new "MEP" code, https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-400681A1.pdf, with excerpts of the FCC's background and summary below:

Background:
[I]n the United States, in 2022, approximately 187,000 adults who fell outside of the criteria for either AMBER Alerts or Silver Alerts went missing. This Notice of Proposed Rulemaking would propose to facilitate the more efficient and widespread dissemination of alerts and coordinated responses to incidents involving missing and endangered persons, an issue that is particularly prevalent in Tribal communities.

What the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Would Do:
* Propose and seek comment on revising the EAS rules to adopt a new EAS event code for Missing and Endangered Persons (MEP). This proposed new MEP event code would allow for the transmission of "Ashanti Alerts" associated with persons missing or abducted from states, territories, or Tribal communities to the public over the EAS.
* Propose and seek comment on three criteria for this new event code: (1) individuals over the age of 17; (2) missing adults who have special needs or circumstances; and (3) missing adults who are endangered or who have been abducted or kidnapped.
* Seek comment on:
o Whether establishing a dedicated MEP event code would aid in the development of the national communications network contemplated by the Ashanti Alert Act.
o Whether there are any particular privacy or other civil liberties concerns the Commission should consider in implementing the proposed MEP event code.
o What actions communities have taken to educate the public on missing endangered persons and Ashanti Alerts and the appropriate responses to those alerts.
o What effect the adoption of an MEP event code for EAS would have on WEA.
o The timeframe in which MEP as a dedicated EAS event code for missing endangered person alerts, including Ashanti Alerts, could be implemented.


Larry Walke, NAB Legal & Regulatory
(202) 429-5313 (o)
(202) 607-7611 (c)

-----Original Message-----
From: sbe-eas <sbe-eas-bounces at sbe.org> On Behalf Of Sean Donelan
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2024 2:47 PM
To: sbe-eas at sbe.org
Subject: Re: [sbe-eas] FCC Proposes New EAS Code for Missing and Endangered Persons

EXTERNAL EMAIL:


1. Overwarning fatigue
2. WEA 3.0 doesn't use EAS codes
3. MEP doesn't follow past precedent for EAS code categories (final letter of the 3-letter code) 4. Some states already transmit missing and endangered persons alerts without needing a new EAS code, public and broadcasters ignore them 5. Alerting Authority training and decades of experience have shown originators are confused by too many codes are used for what

But politicians are going to be politicians.  Do something, even if it doesn't make a difference.


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