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Office of Emergency Management
INVITATION FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS - AM Alert Radio Stations
Background
Just over one year ago, I solicited many of you to assist with a petition that would provide more flexibility to those who operated low-power AM radio stations, like Fort Bend County 1670 AM. This station is operated by Fort Bend County OEM. Similar stations are operated by other jurisdictions in our region, including the City of Stafford. Over 35 installations are currently operating in Texas. These stations are operated by cities, counties, private companies, universities, state agencies, and federal agencies.
The purpose of these stations is to provide emergency information to travelers and citizens about such things as road closures; chemical releases; weather information; et cetera. These stations are a critical part of the emergency notification system in jurisdictions across the country. Much has happened since the petition was sent to the FCC. The primary purpose of the petition was to help ensure that FCC regulations and procedures would be worded in a manner to protect emergency advisory radio stations such as the one used by Fort Bend.
AAIRO
The American Association of Information Radio Operators (AAIRO) was founded in 2008, after a coalition of public safety, transportation, university and outdoor recreation officials informally petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the clarification of Travelers Information Station (TIS) Part 90 Rules. In the era of post-September 11, America's public safety officials sought to utilize Information Radio Station technology to further public safety in ways not previously envisioned by the original rule-writers in the mid-1970s. I am currently on the Board of Directors of AAIRO.
What is needed from you now?
The FCC just issued a notice inviting public comment on the petition that the American Association of Information Radio Operators (AAIRO) submitted last year. Whether or not you are an AAIRO member, I urge to register your support before the FCC makes a ruling on the petition. Why? Because the petition asks the FCC to make clear that licensed information radio station operators (such as Fort Bend County and the City of Stafford) may broadcast any public safety message at any time that is deemed to further the protection of life and property. It also requests that rules be clarified so the operator of the station has the authority to make this decision. (Go to this link if you would like to read the exact wording of AAIRO'S petition: www.aairo.org/fcc-petition.htm)
How do you register your comments?
It's easy to register your comments in one of two ways. Pleaser either write a brief note and email it to info@AAIRO.org. AAIRO will gather comments and submit them to the FCC by the March 16 deadline. Or, you may submit your remarks directly at the FCC website http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/upload_v2.cgi. Be sure to include the docket number 09-19 (in the "Proceeding" field) and be sure to mention the AAIRO petition in your comments.
Deadline: March 16, 2009
At the bottom of this document are sample comments to help get you started. Just insert your own wording, agency name, etc. I hope you will comment by March 16. We live in an unpredictable world with many people on the road at any given time. There should be no question that you have the right to transmit critical information to travelers as needed, and at any time. Thank you for your consideration of this email request.........jeff
COMMENT SAMPLES
I support the AAIRO Petition regarding clarifying the content broadcast on Travelers Information Radio Stations (PS Docket 09-19). Please make it clear that the FCC rules allow licensed operators to broadcast public safety information at their discretion.
Sincerely,
[your name, job title, agency name and address]
I support the AAIRO petition (PS Docket 09-19). Travelers Information Radio Stations clearly further the public interest with regard to public safety. Please clarify your rules (Part 90.242) accordingly.
Sincerely,
[your name, job title, agency name and address]
We at [insert agency name] believe that public safety will benefit with a clarification of the FCC rules regarding Travelers Information Radio Station content as described in the AAIRO Petition (PS Docket 09-19). Please clarify the FCC Rules regarding the service as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
[your name, job title, agency name and address]
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