I have to admit, I never believed it would happen anytime soon.The FCC released a statement yesterday outlining what they are calling the Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS - you knew there'd be an acronym in here somewhere). As the name implies, it's basically using commercial providers to send SMS alerts on large scale. I believe this can be a very good resource - and a great use of technology - if it's done right.
"During emergencies, Americans increasingly rely on wireless telecommunications services and devices to receive critical, time-sensitive information anywhere, anytime. Once fully implemented, the Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) will help ensure that Americans who
subscribe to participating wireless services receive emergency alerts when there is a disaster or emergency that may impact their lives or well-being.
Wireless carriers that choose to participate in the CMAS will transmit text-based alerts to their subscribers. As technology evolves, the CMAS may eventually include audio and video services to transmit emergency alerts to the public. To ensure that people with disabilities who subscribe to wireless services receive these emergency alerts, the FCC adopted rules that will require wireless carriers who participate in the CMAS to transmit messages with both vibration cadence and audio attention signals." - FCC Press Release
I'm sorry, this is a significant step and one I'm glad to see - but one part of that statement really bothers me " transmit messages with both vibration cadence and audio attention signals".
I may not be a wireless technology guru - but I'm pretty sure the decision for alerts to be vibrate or audio rests in the device itself and not in the signal sent from the provider. If I'm wrong - I'm wrong.. But if I'm right - than I just lost a lot of respect for this program. How can you tie mass alerts over multiple providers for national emergencies if your press release talks about providers having to send signals in both audible and vibrate.
/rant... back to the topic:
"Consumers can expect to receive three types of messages via their cell phones and other mobile devices from participating wireless carriers, including:
· Presidential Alerts - national emergency-related alerts delivered to the American public that would preempt any other pending alerts;
· Imminent Threat Alerts - alerts with information on emergencies that may pose an imminent risk to people’s lives or well-being; and
· Child Abduction Emergency/AMBER Alerts - alerts related to missing or endangered children due to an abduction or runaway situation." -FCC Press Release
There are a lot of details and logistical considerations when developing a region based alert system - but I applaud this effort. There's still a long way to go but I'm hoping for the best.
Maybe they'll adopt txt language to save space --- how about "PUSA- My felo Amarkns - duk 'n cvr"
