Home Login RADIO ONLINE RSS Facebook
Advertisement

Public Safety Groups Support AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act


U.S. Congress
U.S. Congress

A public safety coalition has sent a letter to congressional leaders and the ranking members of House and Senate committees in support of the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (H.R. 3413 and S. 1669). The coalition includes Big City Emergency Managers, Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, International Association of Emergency Managers, International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Association of Counties and National Emergency Management Association.

The legislation was recently introduced on a bicameral, bipartisan basis in response to some automakers removing AM radio out of their new vehicles. The bill would direct the Secretary of Transportation to ensure consumer access to AM radio in all vehicles because of its critical role in disseminating vital information during emergencies.

The letter reads, in part:

"As emergency managers working to maintain the nation's ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from all emergencies, disasters and threats to our nations' national security, AM radio is an essential tool to effectively disseminating local, timely and crucial information to the public. When extreme weather events occur and broadband, electric power and cell service are out, people with AM radios can continue to receive critical, and possibly lifesaving, information.

"Unlike other services, AM broadcasts are unique in terms of their resiliency and reach, including to areas that may not be served fully, if at all, by cell and/or broadband service. Of particular concern to us is the fact that removing free broadcast AM radio from certain vehicles effectively dismantles the Federal Emergency Management Agency's system for ensuring the President can reach all Americans in the event of a public safety or national security emergency."

The resolution comes before a House Communications and Technology Subcommittee hearing entitled "Listen Here: Why Americans Value AM Radio" on Tuesday, June 6.

Advertisement

Latest Radio Stories

FCC's Anna Gomez Slams ABC's Kimmel Suspension
FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez
FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez
FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez condemned ABC's decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live! and warned that political pressure on broadcasters threatens First Amendment protections, arguing the FCC "does not have the authority, the ability, or the constitutional right to police content or punish broadcasters for More

Skyview Networks Elevates Four on Leadership Team
Skyview Networks
Skyview Networks
Skyview Networks has announced a series of leadership promotions across business development, finance, technology and corporate affairs, part of an effort to align the company's executive team with its strategic priorities, according to an internal memo from President & CEO Steve More

Advantage Music Research Unveils ''Scorecard Plus''
Scorecard Music Test
Scorecard Music Test
Advantage Music Research has launched Scorecard Plus, a new music research option aimed at delivering affordable library testing with added strategic guidance from radio industry veteran Sean Ross. Scorecard Plus complements AMR's flagship Scorecard Music Test by More
Advertisement

SiriusXM Launches Taylor's Channel 13 Ahead of Album
Taylor's Channel 13
Taylor's Channel 13
SiriusXM will launch a limited-run channel devoted to Taylor Swift on Saturday, September 20, counting down to the October 3 release of her new studio album, "The Life of a Showgirl." The pop-up, titled "Taylor's Channel 13," will air 24/7 across North America and serve as a destination for music spanning More

CRS Opens Apps for Lisa McKay Women in Radio Scholarship
Country Radio Seminar (CRS)
Country Radio Seminar (CRS)
The Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) and Country Radio Seminar (CRS) are now accepting applications for the Lisa McKay Women in Radio Scholarship, honoring the legacy of the influential programming leader and supporting the next generation of female talent. The scholarship is open to first-time CRS More

SiriusXM Sets 28 Hours of Live Ryder Cup Coverage
SiriusXM
SiriusXM
SiriusXM will carry live, hole-by-hole coverage of the 45th Ryder Cup from Bethpage Black in New York, September 26-28, on Ryder Cup Radio (channel 92). The broadcasts, co-produced with Westwood One Sports, will total 28 hours of on-course play-by-play available to subscribers in More

Return to Menu

Advertisement

Subscribe to our Newsletter
Radio news and headlines delivered right to your e-mail box -- and it's free.

Advertisement

Advertisement