Perhaps presciently, local officials there raised those exact issues with the FCC in July.
Before Hurricane Harvey existed, a top homeland security official in Harris County, Texas — which includes Houston — slammed wireless carriers and others for stalling on changes to the wireless emergency alert system, or WEA.
To public-safety officials, however, the alerts are a lifeline for dispatching critical, real-time information during a disaster — albeit, for some, an outdated one.
In 2016, his agency adopted an order that increased the maximum length of a wireless emergency alert from 90 characters to 360 characters.
In the past, at least, Pai has supported reforms to the content and delivery of wireless emergency alerts.
Previously, the well-heeled Washington, D.C.-based lobbying group for wireless giants, known as CTIA, argued against a full-scale, aggressive overhaul of emergency alerts.
“We have activated our Disaster Information Reporting System, deployed personnel to Texas, and provided emergency response officials and licensees with emergency contact information,” he said. »