Federal Communications Commission	FCC 26-38

STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER OLIVIA TRUSTY

Re: 	Modernization of the Nation’s Alerting Systems; Protecting the Nation’s Communications Systems from Cybersecurity Threats; Wireless Emergency Alerts; Amendment of Part 11 of the Commission’s Rules Regarding the Emergency Alert System, Report and Order, PS Docket Nos. 25-224 and 22-329, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, PS Docket Nos. 25-224, 15-94, and 15-91(June 25, 2026).

In May, I had the opportunity to visit the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency at a time when Nebraska is experiencing the worst wildfire season in its history. Since February, more than 800,000 acres have burned, causing widespread destruction and millions of dollars in damage.  Throughout these emergencies, NEMA has coordinated and initiated alerts that are then transmitted by broadcasters, cable operators, and other communications providers to people throughout the state.  
This essential process is repeated every day across the country whenever disaster strikes.  Whether the threat is a wildfire, tornado, hurricane, or other emergency, Americans rely on our alerting systems to deliver timely and accurate information when it matters most.
Any vulnerability in the Emergency Alert System can have serious consequences.  That is why it has been appropriate for the Commission to conduct a comprehensive review of the EAS framework by focusing on the security of the system itself.  As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, EAS participants must take appropriate steps to safeguard the infrastructure that supports the delivery of life-saving alerts.  
Today’s Report and Order advances that goal by strengthening cybersecurity practices and helping secure this critical component of our nation’s emergency communications infrastructure. The Further Notice charts a path toward modernizing the broader alerting framework by leveraging new technologies, streamlining outdated requirements, and improving the usability and effectiveness of the EAS system. 
Protecting the nation’s communications networks from malicious actors is among the Commission’s most important responsibilities.  And today’s actions will help ensure that emergency alerts remain secure, reliable, and effective in keeping Americans out of harm’s way and in saving lives.  
I thank the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau for their work on this item.