WASHINGTON, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- U.S. government scientists are developing the next generation of mass alert and warning systems, replacing sirens with a network that can warn cell-phone users.
In a statement this week the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Sandia National Laboratory said they were together “designing and deploying a pilot alert and warning system that will provide a robust, multifaceted path to ensure effective public communications during a federal, state or local emergency.”
FEMA began piloting the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Aug. 1 in several states and local jurisdictions in the Gulf Coast region.
IPAWS is designed to replace the system of audio alerts broadcast on radio and TV stations, which has been in place in one form or another since 1963. The statement said IPAWS will be “a sophisticated, comprehensive system that can reliably and efficiently send alerts by voice, text and video to all Americans, including those with disabilities or who cannot understand English.”
The new system will include an “opt-in” capability that allows citizens to sign up to receive alerts via pagers, cell phones, e-mail and other communications devices; an emergency landline telephone notification system that provides automated calling of all residents in a selected geographic area; and a deaf and hard-of-hearing notification element that sends American Sign Language videos of alerts over the Internet and to personal communication devices.
Each of the pilot program technologies will be installed and tested through December 2007.
