The FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on ways to improve the Emergency Alert System Aug. 4.
The commission is seeking to improve the system to better warn Americans during emergencies.
The action partially grew out of recommendations from the Media Security and Reliability Council and the Partnership for Public Warning.
The FCC will consult with other government departments, including Homeland Security, Commerce and the National Weather Service, to coordinate its EAS rulemaking.
The commission also seeks input for state and local emergency planning organizations.
On Aug. 11, NAB President and CEO Edward Fritts sent a letter to Chairman Michael Powell to institute rules prohibiting cable operators from overriding or blocking emergency weather warnings from broadcasters.
The action was unanimously approved. Read the rulemaking on the FCC Web site.