Media Contact: 
Tina Pelkey, (202) 418-0536
tina.pelkey@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

FCC ISSUES PUBLIC SAFETY AND TELEHEALTH REPORTS FROM 
ITS INTERGOVERNMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE 

WASHINGTON, November 7, 2019—The Federal Communications Commission today released four reports from its Intergovernmental Advisory Committee.  The reports aim to assist state, local, Tribal, and territorial officials and other stakeholders by offering recommendations and best practices to improve emergency alerting, bolster communications reliability during disasters, and promote the use of telemedicine.

“The Intergovernmental Advisory Committee’s reports offer valuable insights and recommendations that will help inform the work of the FCC and that of our state, local, Tribal, and territorial government partners,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai.  “We welcome the input and perspective of these officials as we work to enhance public safety, disaster preparedness, and access to telemedicine.  I thank the Committee’s members for lending their time and expertise to this important effort.” 

The following reports offer recommendations and best practices based on the experience and expertise of state, local, Tribal, and territorial officials.

· Multilingual Alerts – The Committee issued a report on the delivery of multilingual emergency alerts to people who communicate in a language other than English or who have a limited understanding of the English language.  The report also makes recommendations regarding how alert initiators can deliver alerts to people with disabilities, which the Committee determined presented similar challenges to the delivery of alerts to non-English speakers.  The full report is available at: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-360696A3.pdf
· Plans for Alert Initiation – The Committee offered recommendations and best practices on improving communication between state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments and State Emergency Communication Committees to ensure that Emergency Alerting System procedures, including those for initiation and cancellation of actual alerts and tests, are mutually understood, agreed upon, and documented in state plans.  The full report is available at: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-360696A2.pdf
· Disaster Resiliency – The Committee issued recommendations on fine-tuning state, local, Tribal, and territorial coordination for disaster preparation, response, and restoration efforts, including best practices to promote resilient communications during and after an incident to help ensure first responders and the public have access to reliable communications.  The full report is available at: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-360696A4.pdf

· Clearing the Way for Telemedicine – Committee members identified state, local, Tribal, and territorial regulatory barriers to the use of telemedicine, as well as incentives that promote the adoption of telemedicine.  The report discusses key issues, including state and local licensing laws or regulations that prevent telehealth providers from treating patients across state lines, and intrastate restrictions that may inhibit the provision of telemedicine.  The full report is available at: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-360696A5.pdf

The Intergovernmental Advisory Committee provides guidance, expertise, and recommendations to the Commission on a range of issues for which state, local, Tribal, and territorial entities explicitly or inherently share responsibility or administration with the Commission.  Reports of this committee are made public at the discretion of the FCC.  A list of Committee members, previous reports, and other work of the Committee can also be found at: https://go.usa.gov/xVhZK.  The Committee recently met for the final meeting of its term.  The agency has begun seeking nominations of state, local, Tribal, and territorial officials to participate in the next Intergovernmental Advisory Committee.

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Media Relations: (202) 418-0500 / ASL: (844) 432-2275 / TTY: (888) 835-5322 / Twitter: @FCC / www.fcc.gov 

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).