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EO 13407Executive OrderG.W. Bush · R Quiet signal

Executive Order 13407

Public Alert and Warning System

This executive order establishes a comprehensive national policy for alerting and warning the American people during emergencies including war, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and other public safety hazards. It assigns the Secretary of Homeland Security primary responsibility for creating an integrated, interoperable public alert and warning system that can reach all Americans through multiple communication pathways, including those with disabilities and non-English speakers, while ensuring the President can always communicate with the public.

Federal Register Open PDF 71 FR 36975

Impact dates

  1. Annual implementation reports to President (ongoing, first due no later than one year after initial plan)

  2. DHS issues guidance replacing September 15, 1995 presidential memorandum

  3. DHS submits implementation plan to President

Key directives

  • DHS to inventory and assess federal, state, territorial, tribal, and local alert and warning resources
  • DHS to establish common protocols, standards, and procedures for interoperability
  • DHS to ensure geographic and preference-based message adaptation capability
  • DHS to include accessibility for disabled persons and non-English speakers
  • DHS to maintain and protect communications infrastructure with private sector cooperation
  • DHS to conduct training, tests, and exercises
  • DHS to administer EAS as critical system component
  • DHS to ensure presidential alert capability under all conditions
  • FCC to adopt rules ensuring communications systems can transmit alerts
  • Commerce to provide standards, technology, and telecommunications expertise
  • Defense to provide coordination requirements for DoD

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • DHS assumes responsibility for administering Emergency Alert System (EAS)
  • Interagency coordination requirements take effect
  • Agency heads must provide requested assistance to DHS

Near term (90d)

  • DHS must submit implementation plan to President
  • DHS must issue guidance replacing 1995 presidential memorandum (by day 120)

Long term

  • Annual implementation reports to President required indefinitely
  • Full system integration and interoperability across all government levels
  • Ongoing maintenance of presidential alert capability under all conditions

Risks & tensions

  • Subject to availability of appropriations may limit implementation speed (Sec. 6(a)(i))
  • Vague 'as appropriate' qualifiers on coordination and cooperation reduce enforceability
  • Private sector cooperation is encouraged but not mandated, creating dependency on voluntary participation
  • Integration across federal, state, tribal, territorial, and local levels presents significant interoperability challenges
  • No specific technical standards prescribed, leaving substantial discretion to DHS and FCC
Executive Order 13407: Public Alert and Warning System · Executive Orders