Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) celebrated the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) announcement that it will now provide 18 different types of alerts—including natural disaster alerts and AMBER alerts—in the 13 most commonly spoken languages in the United States, plus American Sign Language (ASL).  Previously, alerts were only available in English and Spanish.  The FCC announcement was made on January 8.   

“During emergencies, the need to access public safety information is absolutely critical, and with more than 140 languages spoken in Texas’ Seventh Congressional District, ensuring accessibility of this information has been a top priority for me,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “I am thrilled that the Biden administration heeded our calls and has done the work to ensure more people can be safe when the unthinkable occurs.”  

In June 2023, during an Energy & Commerce Communications & Technology Subcommittee hearing, Congresswoman Fletcher discussed the importance of the availability of multilingual alerts to the Houston community with FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.  In November 2023, during another Energy & Commerce Communications & Technology Subcommittee hearing, Congresswoman Fletcher discussed the need to ensure access to emergency communications with Chairwoman Rosenworcel.

In addition to ASL, the 18 types of emergency alerts will now be available in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Italian, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog and Vietnamese.

Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) is a public safety system that allows customers who own compatible mobile devices to receive geographically targeted, text-like messages alerting them of imminent threats to safety in their area.  Wireless companies volunteer to participate in WEA.