UPDATE Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, will hold a hearing titled “Hawaii False Missile Alert: What Happened and What Should We Do Next?” on Thursday, April 5, in Honolulu, HI.
In January, the full committee held a hearing concerning the use and effectiveness of Wireless Emergency Alerts and the Emergency Alert System after a false ballistic missile threat alert was sent to Hawaii residents on January 13. The field hearing will focus specifically on the failure of the Hawaii emergency alert system and explore options to improve alerts to ensure public safety, according to Schatz.
“This hearing is about moving forward and fixing the emergency alert system,” Schatz said. “By bringing together state and federal officials, we can understand what happened, what resources are needed to make it right, and how we can improve the system overall.”
Witnesses include FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, FCC Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau Chief Lisa Fowlkes, FEMA Continuity Communications Division Director Antwane Johnson, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency Adjutant General Major General Arthur J. “Joe” Logan, U.S. Pacific Command Commander Admiral Harry Harris and Hawaii Association of Broadcasters President Chris Leonard.
March 20, 2018
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