NAB Urges Broadcasters to Participate in FCC Disaster Information Reporting System

WASHINGTON, DC -- The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) will host a 30-minute webcast featuring Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and NAB officials on Tuesday, July 14 to encourage broadcasters to participate in the FCC’s Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) program. Launched by the FCC in 2007, DIRS is a voluntary, Web-based system that broadcasters can use to report their operational status and to obtain resources needed to stay on the air and serve their local communities during times of disaster. To date, DIRS has provided important benefits for participating broadcasters.

“In times of crises, Americans rely on local broadcasters to deliver critical information that can help save lives,” said NAB Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton. “We encourage all broadcasters to participate in this voluntary DIRS program to help ensure that radio and television stations across the country will be able to provide continuous service to communities when disaster strikes.”

The webcast will include a run-through of the simple process for obtaining a DIRS account, as well as information on how to report a station’s status during times of crises. Participants will also have the opportunity to engage in a live question and answer session with NAB staff and FCC officials.

The webcast, held at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, is available to both members and non-members of NAB. For additional information, click here.