[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 44 (Monday, March 21, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H1487-H1491]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
INTEGRATED PUBLIC ALERT AND WARNING SYSTEM MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2015
Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the
rules and pass the bill (S. 1180) to amend the Homeland Security Act of
2002 to direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency to modernize the integrated public alert and warning system of
the United States, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
S. 1180
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Integrated Public Alert and
Warning System Modernization Act of 2015''.
SEC. 2. INTEGRATED PUBLIC ALERT AND WARNING SYSTEM
MODERNIZATION.
(a) In General.--Title V of the Homeland Security Act of
2002 (6 U.S.C. 311 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``SEC. 526. INTEGRATED PUBLIC ALERT AND WARNING SYSTEM
MODERNIZATION.
``(a) In General.--To provide timely and effective warnings
regarding natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other
man-made disasters or threats to public safety, the
Administrator shall--
``(1) modernize the integrated public alert and warning
system of the United States (in this section referred to as
the `public alert and warning system') to help ensure that
under all conditions the President and, except to the extent
the public alert and warning system is in use by the
President, Federal agencies and State, tribal, and local
governments can alert and warn the civilian population in
areas endangered by natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and
other man-made disasters or threats to public safety; and
``(2) implement the public alert and warning system to
disseminate timely and effective warnings regarding natural
disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters or
threats to public safety.
``(b) Implementation Requirements.--In carrying out
subsection (a), the Administrator shall--
``(1) establish or adopt, as appropriate, common alerting
and warning protocols, standards, terminology, and operating
procedures for the public alert and warning system;
``(2) include in the public alert and warning system the
capability to adapt the distribution and content of
communications on the basis of geographic location, risks,
and multiple communication systems and technologies, as
appropriate and to the extent technically feasible;
``(3) include in the public alert and warning system the
capability to alert, warn, and provide equivalent information
to individuals with disabilities, individuals with access and
functional needs, and individuals with limited-English
proficiency, to the extent technically feasible;
``(4) ensure that training, tests, and exercises are
conducted for the public alert and warning system, including
by--
``(A) incorporating the public alert and warning system
into other training and exercise programs of the Department,
as appropriate;
``(B) establishing and integrating into the National
Incident Management System a comprehensive and periodic
training program to instruct and educate Federal, State,
tribal, and local government officials in the use of the
Common Alerting Protocol enabled Emergency Alert System; and
``(C) conducting, not less than once every 3 years,
periodic nationwide tests of the public alert and warning
system;
``(5) to the extent practicable, ensure that the public
alert and warning system is resilient and secure and can
withstand acts of terrorism and other external attacks;
``(6) conduct public education efforts so that State,
tribal, and local governments, private entities, and the
people of the United States reasonably understand the
functions of the public alert and warning system and how to
access, use, and respond to information from the public alert
and warning system through a general market awareness
campaign;
``(7) consult, coordinate, and cooperate with the
appropriate private sector entities and Federal, State,
tribal, and local governmental authorities, including the
Regional Administrators and emergency response providers;
``(8) consult and coordinate with the Federal
Communications Commission, taking into account rules and
regulations promulgated by the Federal Communications
Commission; and
``(9) coordinate with and consider the recommendations of
the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Subcommittee
established under section 2(b) of the Integrated Public Alert
and Warning System Modernization Act of 2015.
``(c) System Requirements.--The public alert and warning
system shall--
``(1) to the extent determined appropriate by the
Administrator, incorporate multiple communications
technologies;
``(2) be designed to adapt to, and incorporate, future
technologies for communicating directly with the public;
``(3) to the extent technically feasible, be designed--
``(A) to provide alerts to the largest portion of the
affected population feasible, including nonresident visitors
and tourists, individuals with disabilities, individuals with
access and functional needs, and individuals with limited-
English proficiency; and
``(B) to improve the ability of remote areas to receive
alerts;
``(4) promote local and regional public and private
partnerships to enhance community preparedness and response;
``(5) provide redundant alert mechanisms where practicable
so as to reach the greatest number of people; and
``(6) to the extent feasible, include a mechanism to ensure
the protection of individual privacy.
``(d) Use of System.--Except to the extent necessary for
testing the public alert and warning system, the public alert
and warning system shall not be used to transmit a message
that does not relate to a natural disaster, act of terrorism,
or other man-made disaster or threat to public safety.
``(e) Performance Reports.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System
Modernization Act of 2015, and annually thereafter through
2018, the Administrator shall make available on the public
website of the Agency a performance report, which shall--
``(A) establish performance goals for the implementation of
the public alert and warning system by the Agency;
``(B) describe the performance of the public alert and
warning system, including--
``(i) the type of technology used for alerts and warnings
issued under the system;
``(ii) the measures taken to alert, warn, and provide
equivalent information to individuals with disabilities,
individuals with access and function needs, and individuals
with limited-English proficiency; and
``(iii) the training, tests, and exercises performed and
the outcomes obtained by the Agency;
``(C) identify significant challenges to the effective
operation of the public alert and warning system and any
plans to address these challenges;
``(D) identify other necessary improvements to the system;
and
``(E) provide an analysis comparing the performance of the
public alert and warning system with the performance goals
established under subparagraph (A).
``(2) Congress.--The Administrator shall submit to the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of
Representatives each report required under paragraph (1).''.
(b) Integrated Public Alert and Warning System
Subcommittee.--
(1) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (in this subsection referred to
as the ``Administrator'') shall establish a subcommittee to
the National Advisory Council established under section 508
of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 318) to be
known as the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System
Subcommittee (in this subsection referred to as the
``Subcommittee'').
(2) Membership.--Notwithstanding section 508(c) of the
Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 318(c)), the
Subcommittee shall be composed of the following members (or
their designees):
(A) The Deputy Administrator for Protection and National
Preparedness of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
(B) The Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.
(C) The Administrator of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration of the Department of Commerce.
(D) The Assistant Secretary for Communications and
Information of the Department of Commerce.
(E) The Under Secretary for Science and Technology of the
Department of Homeland Security.
(F) The Under Secretary for the National Protection and
Programs Directorate.
(G) The Director of Disability Integration and Coordination
of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
(H) The Chairperson of the National Council on Disability.
[[Page H1488]]
(I) Qualified individuals appointed by the Administrator as
soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act
from among the following:
(i) Representatives of State and local governments,
representatives of emergency management agencies, and
representatives of emergency response providers.
(ii) Representatives from federally recognized Indian
tribes and national Indian organizations.
(iii) Individuals who have the requisite technical
knowledge and expertise to serve on the Subcommittee,
including representatives of--
(I) communications service providers;
(II) vendors, developers, and manufacturers of systems,
facilities, equipment, and capabilities for the provision of
communications services;
(III) third-party service bureaus;
(IV) the broadcasting industry, including public
broadcasting;
(V) the commercial mobile radio service industry;
(VI) the cable industry;
(VII) the satellite industry;
(VIII) national organizations representing individuals with
disabilities, the blind, deaf, and hearing-loss communities,
individuals with access and functional needs, and the
elderly;
(IX) consumer or privacy advocates; and
(X) organizations representing individuals with limited-
English proficiency.
(iv) Qualified representatives of such other stakeholders
and interested and affected parties as the Administrator
considers appropriate.
(3) Chairperson.--The Deputy Administrator for Protection
and National Preparedness of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency shall serve as the Chairperson of the Subcommittee.
(4) Meetings.--
(A) Initial meeting.--The initial meeting of the
Subcommittee shall take place not later than 120 days after
the date of enactment of this Act.
(B) Other meetings.--After the initial meeting, the
Subcommittee shall meet, at least annually, at the call of
the Chairperson.
(5) Consultation with nonmembers.--The Subcommittee and the
program offices for the integrated public alert and warning
system for the United States shall consult with individuals
and entities that are not represented on the Subcommittee to
consider new and developing technologies that may be
beneficial to the public alert and warning system,
including--
(A) the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency;
(B) entities engaged in federally funded research; and
(C) academic institutions engaged in relevant work and
research.
(6) Recommendations.--The Subcommittee shall--
(A) develop recommendations for an integrated public alert
and warning system; and
(B) in developing the recommendations under subparagraph
(A), consider--
(i) recommendations for common alerting and warning
protocols, standards, terminology, and operating procedures
for the public alert and warning system; and
(ii) recommendations to provide for a public alert and
warning system that--
(I) has the capability to adapt the distribution and
content of communications on the basis of geographic
location, risks, or personal user preferences, as
appropriate;
(II) has the capability to alert and warn individuals with
disabilities and individuals with limited-English
proficiency;
(III) to the extent appropriate, incorporates multiple
communications technologies;
(IV) is designed to adapt to, and incorporate, future
technologies for communicating directly with the public;
(V) is designed to provide alerts to the largest portion of
the affected population feasible, including nonresident
visitors and tourists, and improve the ability of remote
areas to receive alerts;
(VI) promotes local and regional public and private
partnerships to enhance community preparedness and response;
and
(VII) provides redundant alert mechanisms, if practicable,
to reach the greatest number of people regardless of whether
they have access to, or use, any specific medium of
communication or any particular device.
(7) Report.--
(A) Subcommittee submission.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Subcommittee shall
submit to the National Advisory Council a report containing
any recommendations required to be developed under paragraph
(6) for approval by the National Advisory Council.
(B) Submission by national advisory council.--If the
National Advisory Council approves the recommendations
contained in the report submitted under subparagraph (A), the
National Advisory Council shall submit the report to--
(i) the head of each agency represented on the
Subcommittee;
(ii) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate; and
(iii) the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives.
(8) Termination.--The Subcommittee shall terminate not
later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this Act and the amendments
made by this Act such sums as may be necessary for each of
fiscal years 2016, 2017, and 2018.
(d) Limitations on Statutory Construction.--
(1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term
``participating commercial mobile service provider'' has the
meaning given that term under section 10.10(f) of title 47,
Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of
enactment of this Act.
(2) Limitations.--Nothing in this Act, including an
amendment made by this Act, shall be construed--
(A) to affect any authority--
(i) of the Department of Commerce;
(ii) of the Federal Communications Commission; or
(iii) provided under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.);
(B) to provide the Secretary of Homeland Security with
authority to require any action by the Department of
Commerce, the Federal Communications Commission, or any
nongovernmental entity;
(C) to apply to, or to provide the Administrator of the
Federal Emergency Management Agency with authority over, any
participating commercial mobile service provider;
(D) to alter in any way the wireless emergency alerts
service established under the Warning, Alert, and Response
Network Act (47 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.) or any related orders
issued by the Federal Communications Commission after October
13, 2006; or
(E) to provide the Federal Emergency Management Agency with
authority to require a State or local jurisdiction to use the
integrated public alert and warning system of the United
States.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Costello) and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Carson)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.
General Leave
Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent
that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and
extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 1180.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
There was no objection.
Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time
as I may consume.
The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has a long
tradition of tackling FEMA and emergency management issues in a
bipartisan manner.
{time} 1715
I would like to acknowledge Chairman Barletta and Ranking Member
Carson of the Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency
Management Subcommittee for leading efforts in the House to improve our
Nation's Emergency Alert System.
Public alerts save lives. And their efforts, along with this bill,
will save even more. This committee was the first to introduce
legislation in 2008, and every Congress since, to modernize the
Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, also known as IPAWS,
because we recognized the critical need to provide timely and effective
disaster warnings to our citizens and communities. Modernizing the
alert and warning systems will help save lives.
At the committee's request, the GAO issued a report in 2009 detailing
key problems with FEMA's development of IPAWS. GAO's findings supported
the need for legislation to ensure consultation and coordination with
key stakeholders, strategic planning, and the timely rollout of the new
system. GAO issued a subsequent report in 2013 identifying a continued
need for guidance and testing of the system.
We also heard from many stakeholders, including people with
disabilities, the elderly, and industries like the broadcasters and
wireless industry, that FEMA was not giving them a seat at the table as
FEMA modernized the system. Involving these stakeholders who are the
primary users and owners of the infrastructure is key. Without them,
alerts couldn't go out.
I am happy to stand here and support the culmination of that work in
S. 1180, the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Modernization
Act of 2015. I commend the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs Committee for continuing to advocate for a
nationwide integrated and interoperable system.
[[Page H1489]]
The IPAWS Modernization Act modernizes and integrates the Nation's
alert and warning infrastructure to provide public safety officials
with an effective way to alert and warn the public about serious
emergencies.
This legislation sets a clear framework to ensure money is not
wasted, while making certain key stakeholders are a part of FEMA's
modernization of the system. The bill will also ensure that the ongoing
development and modernization of our Nation's alert system is done
effectively and efficiency.
As technologies change, the legislation will ensure that this system
adapts and continues to work toward the most effective alert and
warning system possible. This system impacts everyone in America, Mr.
Speaker. Whether it is a hurricane, tornado, flood or wildfire, unless
we can ensure the public can be effectively alerted, lives will be at
risk.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I thank my colleague from Pennsylvania (Mr. Costello); Chairman
Barletta; and my good friend, Ranking Member Peter DeFazio.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this measure today. The Integrated
Public Alert and Warning System Modernization Act of 2015 directs the
administrator of FEMA to codify the Integrated Public Alert and Warning
System, commonly known as IPAWS.
With IPAWS, Mr. Speaker, public safety officials are able to warn the
public of impending hazards using multiple communications platforms,
such as radio and television broadcasts, mobile devices, and other
Internet services. These warnings, Mr. Speaker, can even be
geographically targeted so that only those in harm's way will receive
the messages. All of this leads to saving lives, Mr. Speaker, and
reducing property damage.
During the months of May and June, tornados are most likely to strike
the great Hoosier State. Getting citizens to safety or even alerting
them to shelter in place before a tornado strikes can ultimately be the
difference between life and death. Success in that effort, Mr. Speaker,
depends largely on access to timely and precise information.
During 2011, a violent storm caused the sudden collapse of a concert
stage at the Indiana State Fair. This tragic incident killed seven and
severely injured dozens more. It could have been much worse. Timely
alerts enabled fair officials to clear the midway minutes before the
storm struck, potentially saving hundreds of lives.
Our committee has primary jurisdiction over IPAWS, and we have worked
hard, Mr. Speaker, on this issue for several Congresses. While this
bill is similar to another bill--H.R. 1472--that the Transportation
Committee reported last year, I am very disappointed that regular order
was not followed in S. 1180. It should have been referred to the
committee of jurisdiction so that the House of Representatives can do
the job we were elected to do: consider the details and implications of
all the different provisions and how they impact our alert and warning
system. Despite the lack of regular order, Mr. Speaker, I still support
this measure greatly.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Donovan).
Mr. DONOVAN. I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, as the chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security's
Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications, I
rise today in support of S. 1180, the Integrated Public Alert and
Warning System Modernization Act of 2015. This important legislation
was introduced by the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs Committee, Senator Ron Johnson.
IPAWS provides public safety officials with a mechanism to alert and
warn the public about emergencies using multiple communication
platforms, including the Emergency Alert System, Wireless Emergency
Alerts, and NOAA Weather Radio.
The bill we are considering today authorizes the IPAWS program and
provides it with needed direction to help ensure that we can make
available as much information to the public as possible to get them out
of harm's way in the event of a terror attack, natural disaster, or
other threat to public safety.
We know that these alerts can help to save lives. IPAWS was used
after the Boston Marathon bombings to direct residents to shelter
during the manhunt. In my district, IPAWS was used to warn people
during Hurricane Sandy. Elsewhere, IPAWS has been vital to locating
missing children through the AMBER Alert system.
We also know that the system is not without its challenges. While I
understand that in a recent test of the Emergency Alert System, a
component of IPAWS, worked for stations in my home State of New York,
there were challenges in other States. The test was canceled in several
States due to weather concerns. However, a number of those States were
not informed of the cancellation, leaving their broadcasters to wonder
why the test didn't occur.
We must ensure better communication between IPAWS and relevant
stakeholders. That is why the IPAWS subcommittee of the National
Advisory Council, established in this bill, is so important.
This advisory committee will provide stakeholders with a mechanism to
provide input into the program. Ensuring stakeholder engagement and
feedback will serve to enhance the effectiveness of IPAWS.
The Committee on Homeland Security has a long history of oversight of
the IPAWS program, having held a number of hearings and briefings.
Legislation similar to the bill we are considering today was approved
by the Committee on Homeland Security just last year.
Like the legislation passed out of the Committee on Homeland
Security, this legislation is supported by the National Association of
Broadcasters, the National Alliance of State Broadcasters Association,
and CTIA--The Wireless Association. We thank these organizations for
their continued engagement on this bill to improve the text and get us
to this point.
The enactment of legislation to authorize IPAWS has been a long time
coming. I urge all Members to join me in supporting this commonsense
legislation so that we can send it to the President's desk to be signed
into law.
Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio), a good friend of
mine and the ranking member of the committee.
Mr. DeFAZIO. I thank my friend and the ranking member of the
subcommittee for yielding to me on this important bill.
Mr. Speaker, yes, indeed, we have spent a number of years overseeing,
holding hearings, and working to push for a more modern public alert
warning system. So this legislation is somewhat overdue. In fact, we
passed similar legislation last year in the House.
I do support the legislation. However, I will point out that it is a
bit irregular because we passed it a year ago, and suddenly we are
passing a version which just happens to have come from a Senator who
just happened to be one of the most vulnerable Republicans up for
reelection so that he can get a notch on his belt. But that is the way
things work around here: we get good things done for sometimes the
wrong reasons. It should have been done a year ago. The Senate should
have taken up our version.
That said, this will modernize the system tremendously. We are well
past the days of CONELRAD alerts. Yet, technology has not moved as far
as it could for the 21st century.
In particular, I was in Japan with a congressional delegation
observing what they have done post the dramatic earthquake and tsunami
events. They estimated the wave heights and were able to get the
message out, to some extent, on public broadcasts and with sirens
before further shocks brought down the grid and silenced, for the most
part, the sirens.
Unfortunately, the first estimates were off. When the waves reached
the nearshore monitoring devices, they found that they were
considerably higher and a much more vigorous evacuation should have
been conducted. Unfortunately, at that point they had no way to get the
word out to the people who had gone to high ground, but
[[Page H1490]]
not high enough, or those who had sheltered in place when they believed
the height of the tsunami would be less. So they lost many lives, they
feel, unnecessarily, because of a lack of redundancy in the system.
This will move us toward a redundant system. They have now moved to a
cellular-based system so that individuals can be alerted.
I was just at a tsunami event in the town of Florence, Oregon, called
the Blue Line, where they have evacuation routes and people say: When
do I stop running or driving?
And so they are painting lines on those critical routes showing what
point where you are safe from the highest predicted tsunami. They did,
essentially, a drill while we were there, but you couldn't even hear
the siren. These are World War II-era raid sirens. Some work, some
don't.
So we need a much more robust and redundant system because we know
that in the Pacific Northwest and northern California, it is only
when--not if--we will have a dramatic earthquake, potentially with a
magnitude up to 9, with a subsequent tsunami.
We need in place both deep ocean detection to give more warning time,
wave detection, and a robust system to inform the people where to go
and how far they need to go in these events. This is overdue
legislation, and I do urge its adoption.
Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis).
Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1180, the
Integrated Public Alert Warning System, or IPAWS, Modernization Act.
Modernizing our alert and warning capabilities is essential to
keeping us safe. We must effectively communicate important information
to the public during national emergencies, and our warning efforts must
evolve with the growing and emerging threats of today.
During my time as chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on
Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications, this was a top
priority of mine. I have worked to update our alert and warning systems
and utilize innovative new technologies.
Since the 112th Congress, I have introduced and advocated for the
passage and enactment of this important piece of legislation, which is
very similar to my bill, H.R. 1738.
During my work on the Integrated Public Alert Warning System
Modernization Act, I heard from many stakeholders and experts who
highlighted the need to ensure alert systems are available to the
largest number of people, including individuals with disabilities and
those living in rural areas.
In 2006, FEMA implemented the Integrated Public Alert and Warning
System, which improved public safety by quickly disseminating emergency
messages and lifesaving information to the public. However, these
systems have not been modernized in decades, which is why I have
consistently reintroduced this bill. With congressional oversight, we
can ensure our constituents have alert systems that work reliably,
effectively, and efficiently.
S. 1180 provides authorization to update our communications
infrastructure to allow important information and alerts for
instantaneous message delivery over cell phones, text messaging, the
Internet, and broadcasting.
{time} 1730
Additionally, this bill improves our capabilities and communications
network by creating a national public warning working group to bring
State and local officials together. This will ensure systems
developers, regulators, users, and relay participants meet on a regular
basis. This important legislation allows us to uphold our
responsibility in the protection of the people we serve.
I want to thank Senator Johnson for his work and advocacy on this
issue.
I also want to thank my colleagues: Representative Susan Brooks;
chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, Chairman McCaul; and
Subcommittee Chairman Donovan, for their support in cosponsoring my
bill, H.R. 1738.
This is a great step in the right direction, and we must continue
this progress of modernizing our capabilities with the passage of this
bill. I urge my colleagues to support this important piece of
legislation.
National Alliance of State
Broadcasters Associations,
April 29, 2015.
Hon. Michael McCaul,
Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The undersigned, who are the chief
executive officers of the fifty State Broadcasters
Associations in the United States, the District of Columbia,
and Puerto Rico, are pleased to offer our support and
endorsement for H.R. 1738, the Integrated Public Alert and
Warning System Modernization Act of 2015.
If passed, this bill will ensure that more people receive
life-saving information in more parts of America, more of the
time, through current and future alert and warning
technologies, while strengthening broadcasters' role as the
backbone of America's public alerting system.
Many of us serve as chairs or members of our respective
State Emergency Communications Committees, which are charged
with managing the Emergency Alert System (EAS) in our states.
We have all worked tirelessly to ensure that a robust,
reliable alerting system is available when it is needed.
We have observed over the years that the system needs a
higher level of coordination among the various federal, state
and local public safety and emergency management agencies as
``message originators'' on the one hand, and the broadcast,
cable and satellite ``message relayers'' on the other hand;
and that the absence of any formal, ongoing training of state
and local public safety and emergency management personnel on
the proper use of EAS has hampered state and local officials'
willingness and ability to use it efficiently in times of
emergency, thus putting lives and property at risk.
This bill will address these problems and will make giant
strides toward improvement of alert and warning capability in
our states and across our nation. We look forward to the
successful passage of this important measure.
Very truly yours,
The Undersigned CEOs of the Fifty State Broadcast Trade
Associations.
Alabama Broadcasters Association, Sharon Tinsley; Alaska
Broadcasters Association, Cathy Hiebert; Arizona Broadcasters
Association, Art Brooks; Arkansas Broadcasters Association,
Doug Krile; California Broadcasters Association, Stan
Statham; Colorado Broadcasters Association, Justin Sasso;
Connecticut Broadcasters Association, Michael C. Rice;
Florida Association of Broadcasters, C. Patrick Roberts;
Georgia Association of Broadcasters, Bob Houghton; Hawaii
Association of Broadcasters, Jamie Hartnett; Idaho State
Broadcasters Association, Connie Searles; Illinois
Broadcasters Association, Dennis Lyle; Indiana Broadcasters
Association, Joe Misiewicz; Iowa Broadcasters Association,
Sue Toma; Kansas Association of Broadcasters, Kent Cornish;
Kentucky Broadcasters Association, Gary White; Louisiana
Association of Broadcasters, Polly Prince Johnson; Maine
Association of Broadcasters, Suzanne Goucher; Maryland/D.C./
Delaware (MDCD) Broadcasters Association, Lisa Reynolds.
Massachusetts Broadcasters Association, Jordan Walton;
Michigan Association of Broadcasters, Karole L. White;
Minnesota Broadcasters Association, Jim duBois; Mississippi
Association of Broadcasters, Karla Hooten; Missouri
Broadcasters Association, Mark Gordon; Montana Broadcasters
Association, Dewey Bruce; Nebraska Broadcasters Association,
Jim Timm; Nevada Broadcasters Association, Mary Beth Sewald;
New Hampshire Association of Broadcasters, Jordan Walton; New
Jersey Broadcasters Association, Paul Rotella; New Mexico
Broadcasters Association, Paula Maes; New York State
Broadcasters Association, David Donovan; North Carolina
Association of Broadcasters, Wade Hargrove, Esq.; North
Dakota Broadcasters Association, Beth Helfrich; Ohio
Association of Broadcasters, Chris Merritt; Oklahoma
Association of Broadcasters, Vance Harrison; Oregon
Association of Broadcasters, Bill Johnstone; Pennsylvania
Association of Broadcasters, Rich Wyckoff.
Radio Broadcasters Association of Puerto Rico, Jose A.
Ribas Dominicci; Rhode Island Broadcasters Association, Lori
Needham; South Carolina Broadcasters Association, Shani
White; South Dakota Broadcasters Association, Steve Willard;
Tennessee Association of Broadcasters, White Adamson; Texas
Association of Broadcasters, Oscar Rodriguez; Utah
Broadcasters Association, Michele Zabriskie; Vermont
Association of Broadcasters, Jim Condon; Virginia Association
of Broadcasters, Doug Easter; Washington State Association of
Broadcasters, Mark Allen; West Virginia Broadcasters
Association, Michele Crist; Wisconsin Broadcasters
Association, Michelle Vetterkind; Wyoming Association of
Broadcasters, Laura Grott.
Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, may I ask how much time is
remaining on both sides.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Indiana has 13\1/2\
minutes remaining. The gentleman from Pennsylvania has 10\1/2\ minutes
remaining.
Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance
of my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 1180,
the ``Integrated
[[Page H1491]]
Public Alert and Warning System Modernization Act of 2015.''
I support this bill because it would address interoperability
deficits among information technology systems and radio communications
systems used by emergency services to exchange voice, data, disasters,
and video in real time
As a senior member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, I am
intimately aware, as are many of my colleagues, of the essential and
lifesaving role of communications during a crisis.
S. 1180 directs FEMA to establish the Integrated Public Alert and
Warning System Subcommittee to develop and submit recommendations for
an integrated public alert and warning system to the National Advisory
Council through: establishing common alerting and warning protocols,
standards, terminology, and operating procedures for the system;
include in such system the capability to adapt the distribution and
content of communications on the basis of geographic location, risks,
and multiple communication technologies and to alert, warn, and provide
equivalent information to individuals with disabilities, access and
functional needs, or limited English proficiency; ensure that specified
training, tests, and exercises for such system are conducted and that
the system is resilient, secure, and can withstand external attacks;
and conduct public education efforts and a general market awareness
campaign about the system.
The bill requires the system to: be designed to adapt to and
incorporate future technologies for communicating directly with the
public, provide alerts to the largest portion of the affected
population feasible, and improve the ability of remote areas to receive
alerts; promote local and regional public and private partnerships to
enhance community preparedness and response; provide redundant alert
mechanisms; and protect individual privacy.
Because the tragedies of September 11, 2001, were compounded by
communication failures among first responders who entered the burning
towers that comprised the World Trade Center it has been an imperative
of the Homeland Security Committee to address first responder
communication interoperability challenges.
S. 1180 amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the
Federal Emergency Management Agency to modernize the integrated U.S.
public alert and warning system to help ensure that under all
conditions the President, federal agencies, and state, tribal, and
local governments can alert and warn the civilian population in areas
endangered by natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made
disasters or threats to public safety.
Hurricane Katrina is an example of the need for emergency response
agencies to be connected.
After the storm the majority of the rescue operations were being
conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard locating people who were on the roofs
of their houses.
The coast guard was not aware of the individuals who were stuck in
their home calling 911, because they could not reach their roofs,
causing about 986 Louisiana residents to perish after the storm due to
the lack of effective communication.
An estimated 1,836 lives were lost as a result of the hurricane.
The City of Houston covers over a 1,000 square mile region in
Southeast Texas. It has a night-time population of nearly two million
people, which peaks with over three million daytime inhabitants.
The city of Houston's 9-1-1 Emergency Center manages nearly 9,000
emergency calls per day. The volume of emergency calls can easily
double during times of inclement weather or special City social/
sporting events like Hurricanes Ike in September 2008; and Katrina as
well as Rita, which occurred in September and October of 2005.
The types and severity of potential emergencies can encompass floods,
hurricanes, and industrial incidents which would require multiple
emergency agencies to respond.
On the average, EMS responds to a citizen every 3 minutes. Each EMS
response is made by one of 88 City of Houston EMS vehicles.
There are over 200,000 EMS incidents involving over 225,000 patients
or potential patients annually.
In 2013, the City of Houston's fire Department lost Captain EMT
Matthew Renaud, Engineer Operator EMT Robert Bebee, Firefighter EMT
Robert Garner and Probationary Firefighter Anne Sullivan when they
responded to a hotel fire.
Throughout the history of the Houston Police Department over 110
officers have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Each member of the House of Representatives knows of the loss of a
first responder who was going to the aid of those in harm's way.
S. 1180 will offer additional resources that can save the lives of
first responders and those they help.
S. 1180 will ensure that FEMA's response to a crisis is organized
with state and local resources.
I ask my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of S. 1180.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Costello) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, S. 1180.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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