Before the
                Federal Communications Commission
                      Washington, D.C. 20554


In the Matter of                )
                                )  
Amendment to Parts 73 and 90 of the )   RM-9719
Commission's Rules to Authorize the )
                                        Transmission of Emergency Signals)      
on Channel 200                  )

                             ORDER

   Adopted:  October 28, 1999           Released:  October 28, 1999

By the Deputy Chief, Public Safety & Private Wireless Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau:

     1.  On August 2, 1999, the Commission received a petition for rulemaking (Petition) filed by
Federal Signal Corporation (Federal Signal) requesting that the Commission amend Parts 73 and 90 of
Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations to allocate Channel 200 (87.9 MHz) for the use and operation
of an Emergency Radio Data System (ERDS) by public safety licensees.  On September 14, 1999, the
Commission issued a Public Notice instructing parties interested in commenting on Federal Signal's
Petition to do so within thirty days (i.e., by October 14, 1999).  Consequently, Federal Signal had until
October 29, 1999, to file reply comments.  On October 25, 1999, the Commission received a Motion for
Extension of Time filed by Federal Signal.  

     2.  Federal Signal requests that the Commission grant a ten-day extension of time until November
8, 1999, for filing a reply to those comments filed in opposition to its Petition.  Federal Signal maintains
that several of the comments raise technical and engineering concerns that will require considerable
preparation by its consulting engineers, and that an additional ten-days would afford it more adequate time
to prepare a full and complete reply in order that the Commission may develop as complete a record as
possible.  In addition, Federal Signal only recently became apprised of comments which were filed with the Commission, but not served on Federal Signal's counsel as required
by Section 1.405(a) of the Commission's Rules.  Finally, Federal Signal indicates that no party will be
prejudiced by grant of a ten-day extension.  

     3.  It is the policy of the Commission that extensions of time are not routinely granted.  Upon
review, however, we agree that a ten-day extension, until November 8, 1999, would afford Federal Signal
the necessary time to prepare and file a responsive and complete reply in this proceeding.
  
     4.  Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that, pursuant to Section 1.46 of the Commission's
Rules, 47 C.F.R.  1.46, the Motion for Extension of Time filed by Federal Signal on October 25, 1999, IS
GRANTED.  Parties shall file reply comments no later than November 8, 1999. 

     5.  This action is taken under delegated authority pursuant to Sections 0.131 and 0.331 of the
Commission's Rules, 47 C.F.R.  0.131, 0.331. 


                         FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION




                         Herb Zeiler
                         Deputy Chief, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division 
                         Wireless Telecommunications Bureau