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Public radio stations KVPR Fresno, WQLN Erie, and KRCL Salt Lake City are set to benefit from a substantial financial investment to improve their emergency alert systems. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) has allocated $587,704 to these stations as part of ongoing initiatives to upgrade the nation’s public media infrastructure through the Next Generation Warning System (NGWS) grant program.
Grants provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) play a crucial role in a nationwide effort to bolster public media as a key emergency alerting channel within local communities. So far, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) has distributed NGWS funding to 38 public media stations across 21 states.
“Public media stations are pivotal in providing timely and potentially life-saving information during emergencies,” said Corporation for Public Broadcasting President and CEO Patricia Harrison. “This funding helps stations, particularly those in rural areas, to update and maintain the necessary infrastructure to fulfill this crucial role.”
The NGWS program is dedicated to bolstering public media stations, enabling them to provide more effective alerting and warning services to the community. This initiative offers financial support and essential training to help these stations adapt to new technologies and processes.
The initial funding round was part of a $40 million allocation sanctioned by Congress for Fiscal Year 2022. Following a strong response from media stations, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is now rolling out a second round of grants totaling $56 million for Fiscal Year 2023. A third funding round is expected to begin soon, supported by an additional $40 million approved for Fiscal Year 2024.
“FEMA’s commitment to bolstering community resilience through integrated emergency communications is unwavering,” stated Manny Centeno, Director of FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System. “Our partnership with broadcasters is essential in cultivating a robust network that can swiftly distribute emergency alerts to the public.”
KVPR-FM in Fresno will receive up to $38,607 to establish an auxiliary transmitter site, which will help maintain service during critical incidents. WQLN-FM in Erie has been allocated up to $87,059 to upgrade its equipment and software to improve signal reception across its translator sites. KRCL-FM in Salt Lake City will also benefit from up to $462,038 to enhance its transmission capabilities, allowing it to reach a wider rural audience.
