Federal regulators have approved a plan to create a nationwide text message emergency alert system that could be used to alert affected populations during natural disasters and other emergencies, the Associated Press has reported.
A 2006 federal law that requires the Federal Communications Commission to upgrade emergency alert systems and develop ways to better alert the public about emergencies led to the development of this project, which should be in effect by 2010.
Cell phone carriers’ participation is voluntary, but the plan is receiving strong support from the industry, according to the AP. Customers may not be charged for receiving alerts and will have the option to opt out of the program. Additionally, the emergency alerts would be delivered with a unique audio tone to distinguish them from normal messages.
According to the plan, three types of messages are proposed:
- National Alerts from the president, including for terrorist attacks or natural disasters
- Imminent threats like university shootings, hurricanes, and tornadoes
- Amber Alerts, which are reserved for abducted children
Read the Associated Press article at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/10/washington/10alert.html.