LAS VEGAS - NAB 08 - Global Security Systems (GSS)’s emergency alert system, ALERT FM, is poised to expand its critical emergency alert service to first responders, governments, institutions and to the public as a result of last week’s adopted ruling. The rules, set forth by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), adopt technical standards pursuant to the Warning, Alert and Response Network (WARN) Act passed by Congress in 2006 in response to severe communications failures from natural disasters, like Hurricane Katrina.
With standards now in place, ALERT FM can provide the nation’s wireless carriers the ability to transmit timely alerts and warnings to the public in the event of an emergency. ALERT FM is designed to broadcast emergency messages over the FM public radio network as well as the commercial radio stations to reach emergency management officials, local governments, schools and, most importantly, individuals in an affected community or even across the country during a crisis.
“We applaud FCC’s order from last week and its commitment to ensuring the transmission of crucial information to public safety personnel and citizens alike in the event of an emergency,” said Robert Adams, president and CEO of Global Security Systems. “Lives are saved when first responders have the necessary tools to quickly respond to a crisis and citizens are able to receive critical alerts.”
ALERT FM provides a switch-less solution to deliver alert messages in real time to cell phones equipped with a standard FM radio chip. By using the existing FM radio networks, which remain reliable even when most wireless networks are clogged in a national crisis, ALERT FM is a “best fit” for the nation’s public alert and warning system. ALERT FM can send a single message across multiple platforms to ensure that the American public has accurate information in real time.
In comments filed with the FCC, state and local broadcasters, as well as the National Association of Broadcasters, advocated utilizing the Radio Broadcast Data System for distributing emergency warnings to cell phones and other devices equipped with FM receiver chips.
“Cell phone subscribers are only an FM chip away from having the ability to receive realtime hazard and alert information over a secure and protected network,” Adams added. “Implementing ALERT FM into the nation’s public alert and warning system will save lives.”
ALERT FM™ is a personal alert and messaging system that enables emergency management officials to create and send digital alerts and messages, including NOAA weather warnings, evacuation instructions, homeland security notices, Amber Alerts or school closings to first responders, school officials, businesses and citizens based on geographic or organizational groupings. For more information, visit http://www.alertfm.com.
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