Millions of people received false evacuation alerts during the recent wildfires in Los Angeles, highlighting a significant issue in emergency communications. Many residents who speak languages other than English and Spanish struggled to understand these alerts, raising concerns about safety and accessibility during emergencies.
Two years ago, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to expand wireless emergency alerts to include 13 languages and American Sign Language. These alerts are crucial during disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes. However, as of now, alerts are only available in English and Spanish. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 68 million Americans speak a language other than English at home, showing a clear need for more inclusive communication.
Some Congress members and advocacy groups argue that the FCC has stalled on implementing these changes since the Trump administration took office. They claim that the FCC has not published a necessary report to start the process, which would require major wireless providers, like AT&T and Verizon, to update their systems to accommodate the new languages. California Congresswoman Nanette Barragán emphasized that the FCC had already approved the changes, and the only remaining step is to publish the report.
Barragán stated that understanding emergency alerts is vital for public safety. She pointed out that during the recent wildfires, many individuals were left confused due to language barriers. A study from UCLA found that over 12,000 Asian Americans in evacuation zones did not comprehend the alerts sent to them.
The delay in updating the wireless emergency alert system has raised questions. Some, including FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, have suggested that an executive order from Trump’s inauguration day may be contributing to the holdup. This order restricts agencies from sending reports to the Federal Register without prior approval from a Trump administration official.
Advocates are calling for urgent action. They stress that failing to implement multilingual alerts denies access to crucial information for many Americans during emergencies. The need for effective communication is especially pressing as climate-related disasters become more frequent and severe.
Groups like the AAPI Equity Alliance are pushing for the FCC to move forward with the updated emergency alert system. They believe that everyone deserves to receive important safety information in a language they understand. As the wildfire season continues and hurricane season approaches, the urgency for these changes is more critical than ever.