FCC FCC Emergency Communications and Public Safety

Question 1

What is the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and which federal agency oversees it jointly with the FCC?

Accepted Answer

A national warning system overseen jointly by the FCC and FEMA

Answer

A system managed solely by the Department of Homeland Security

Answer

A local emergency notification system operated by state governments

Answer

A broadcast industry voluntary alert system with no federal oversight

Question 2

What is the FCC's Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) system?

Accepted Answer

A system that delivers geographically targeted emergency alerts to cell phones in an affected area

Answer

A voluntary opt-in wireless notification service

Answer

An FCC licensing program for emergency wireless networks

Answer

A Bluetooth-based short-range emergency alert system

Question 3

What does FirstNet stand for and what is its significance to the FCC?

Accepted Answer

First Responder Network Authority — a broadband network for public safety users authorized by Congress, with FCC oversight of spectrum

Answer

Federal Integrated Radio Safety Network — an FCC-licensed emergency radio service

Answer

First National Emergency Technology — an FCC program for 911 upgrades

Answer

Federal Network for Emergency Telecommunications — a FEMA program

Question 4

What is the FCC's role in regulating 911 and Enhanced 911 (E911) services?

Accepted Answer

The FCC requires wireless carriers and VoIP providers to support 911/E911 location capabilities

Answer

The FCC directly operates the national 911 network

Answer

The FCC has no jurisdiction over 911 — it is regulated entirely by states

Answer

The FCC only regulates 911 for landline telephone companies

Question 5

What is a 'Presidential Alert' under the Wireless Emergency Alerts system?

Accepted Answer

The highest-level WEA alert sent under presidential authority for national emergencies, from which users cannot opt out

Answer

A voluntary presidential endorsement of commercial wireless services

Answer

An alert sent by the White House Communications Agency for scheduled events

Answer

A test alert simulating a presidential emergency directive

Question 6

What is the FCC's 'Disaster Information Reporting System' (DIRS)?

Accepted Answer

A voluntary system for communications providers to report the status of their networks during disasters

Answer

A mandatory FCC system for reporting all communications outages

Answer

A FEMA database for tracking emergency communications assets

Answer

An FCC licensing system for disaster relief radio operations