CARSON, Calif. — When disaster strikes, every second matters. And for millions of Angelenos, language can be the difference between safety and tragedy.

What You Need To Know

  • Local lawmakers gathered outside the Carson Sheriff’s Station, demanding the Federal Communications Commission implement a long-delayed plan to expand wireless emergency alerts into 12 additional languages

  • The multilingual upgrade, approved months ago, remains in bureaucratic limbo, pending action under the new FCC Chairman, Brendan Carr

  • FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez flew in from Washington, D.C., to join the local push, hoping to build urgency around the issue — and pressure her agency to act

  • The proposed upgrade would modernize the Wireless Emergency Alert system to serve better communities where English is not the primary language

That’s why local lawmakers gathered Tuesday outside the Carson Sheriff’s Station, demanding the Federal Communications Commission implement a long-delayed plan to expand wireless emergency alerts into 12 additional languages.

The multilingual upgrade, approved months ago, remains in bureaucratic limbo, pending action under the new FCC Chairman Brendan Carr.

With wildfires, earthquakes and floods, all constant threats in California, officials say the delay puts lives at risk.

“Imagine for a moment that you are somebody in the community. You get an emergency alert. You can’t even read it,” said Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán, D-San Pedro. “You don’t know if you have to evacuate. You don’t know if you’re being told to stay home.”

FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez flew in from Washington, D.C., to join the local push, hoping to build urgency around the issue — and pressure her agency to act.

“It really could make the difference between life and death,” Gomez said. “Because when an emergency happens, you need to be able to act on the information you’re getting.”

The proposed upgrade would modernize the Wireless Emergency Alert system to serve communities better where English is not the primary language.

In Los Angeles County alone, more than half of the residents speak a language other than English at home, according to Census data.

Despite bipartisan support for the change, the plan remains stalled at the federal level. Now, with another wildfire season approaching, local leaders say waiting any longer is not an option.

“This is about equity. It’s about access. And it’s about saving lives,” Barragán said. “We need action now—before the next emergency hits.”