FCCFinal Rule
Wireless Emergency Alerts and the Emergency Alert System
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Summary
This FCC regulation updates how emergency alerts are sent to the public through cell phones and broadcast media during disasters and serious threats. The rule aims to make sure emergency messages reach people faster and more reliably when they need to know about dangers like severe weather, missing children, or other urgent situations.
Key Points
- 1Cell phone users will receive emergency alerts (called Wireless Emergency Alerts) directly on their phones during disasters, severe weather, and Amber Alerts for missing children
- 2The rule requires wireless carriers and broadcasters to work together to deliver these alerts quickly and accurately to reach as many people as possible
- 3Emergency alerts can only be sent by authorized government agencies like FEMA, the National Weather Service, and local emergency management officials
- 4The regulation sets technical standards that ensure alerts work across different phone types and carriers so no one is left out
- 5People can opt out of non-emergency alerts but cannot turn off urgent warnings about immediate threats to public safety
Key Dates
Published
January 20, 2026
This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.
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