California Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán is calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to move forward with plans to modernize the federal emergency alert system. She emphasizes the importance of providing multilingual alerts during natural disasters for residents who speak languages other than English at home. This plea comes in the wake of devastating fires in Los Angeles that endangered communities with many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, some of whom have limited English skills.
In a letter addressed to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, Barragán expressed her concern over delays in implementing multilingual Wireless Emergency Alerts. She pointed out that these alerts are crucial during severe natural disasters such as wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes, and tsunamis. Barragán noted that the previous administration had stalled progress on this issue, leaving many communities without vital information in their preferred languages.
“This is about saving lives,” Barragán stated in an interview. She highlighted that around 68 million Americans use a language other than English and deserve to understand emergency alerts. She believes that the alerts should be available in multiple languages nationwide, particularly in diverse areas like Los Angeles.
The need for multilingual alerts became evident during the January fires in Pacific Palisades and Eaton, where many residents were unaware of the imminent dangers due to language barriers. Los Angeles is prone to various natural disasters, and its diverse immigrant population includes many individuals with limited English proficiency.
Despite a January 2023 FCC order aimed at allowing multilingual alerts, the commission has yet to publish this order in the Federal Register, which is necessary for implementation. In October 2023, the FCC did approve new rules to enhance the emergency alert system, allowing alerts to be delivered in over a dozen languages without requiring a translator. However, the follow-up actions needed to activate these changes have been delayed.
Barragán criticized the FCC’s inaction, which she believes puts communities at risk. She pointed out that emergency management officials can currently send alerts in any language, but the lack of a standardized system for mobile service providers limits the effectiveness of these notifications.
Joining Barragán in her concerns, nearly two dozen members from various congressional caucuses have echoed the need for timely action on multilingual alerts. She stressed that the failure to implement these alerts not only endangers residents but also complicates the work of first responders during emergencies.
The urgency of this issue is underscored by a study from UCLA, which found that language barriers severely hindered access to emergency information during the recent fires. Many Asian American residents reported receiving alerts only in English and Spanish, leaving thousands without crucial evacuation information.
Community leaders, like Manjusha Kulkarni from the AAPI Equity Alliance, have called the FCC’s delay a “real dereliction of duty.” They argue that timely and clear communication in multiple languages is essential for ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents during emergencies.
As the FCC faces criticism for its slow progress, Barragán and her supporters continue to advocate for a system that guarantees all Americans receive the information they need to stay safe, regardless of the language they speak.