A nationwide alert system that will send text messages to cell
phones and other mobile devices when an emergency occurs is beginning to
take shape. The alert system is expected to interact with existing
state, local, and tribal alerting systems to allow targeted warning
messages to be sent out to cell phone users in situations such as
natural disasters, college-campus shootings, child abductions or
terrorist attacks.
It could also be utilized in rare disaster situations that impact
the health and safety of all Americans, in which case the President can
authorize a national alert to the country.
Under the new system, expected to be operational by 2010, each
state will be responsible for authorizing certain emergency managers to
send alerts for specific local jurisdictions.
In the event of an emergency, authorized city, county or state
emergency managers would send notice to the federal contact point, which
in turn notifies wireless service providers. The wireless service
providers would then transfer the message to those currently in the
affected geographic area. Ultimately, cell phone users in the area would
hear a unique cell phone ring and receive a short text message regarding
the emergency.
Local first responders across the country have been continuously
looking for better ways to send out emergency alerts to a local audience
as quickly as possible.
In that spirit, many law enforcement agencies have created local
text message-based warning systems. However, these systems have many
drawbacks. The largest issue has been that residents must sign up for
the service. In addition, this opt-in form of service generally misses
visitors to the area and tends to clog wireless networks so badly that
the message often comes far too late.
Under the new system, cellular service providers would be required
to opt in to the alert system. So far, all four major cellular service
providers--AT&T, Verizon, Sprint-Nextel and T-Mobile--have indicated
they expect to participate.
Although Congress urged these enhancements to the system several
years ago, visible signs of progress only began recently. In addition to
the Federal Communications Commission outlining technical details of the
new system, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has indicated that
it will serve as the gateway for state and local responders accessing
the system and that the Department of Homeland Security will work with
stakeholders to design the system.
COPYRIGHT 2008 National League of
Cities Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission.
Copyright 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning. All rights
reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.
NOTE: All illustrations and photos have been removed from this article.