ALERT FM USES RELIABLE FM SIGNAL TO DELIVER EMERGENCY TEXT ALERTS THAT SAVED LIVES DURING ALABAMA STORMS

On-Site Demonstration at “CES On The Hill” for Members of Congress

May 9, 2011 -- ALERT FM, the system that uses the reliable FM radio platform to deliver emergency alert text messages, helped save hundreds of lives during the devastating tornados that ripped across the South last month.  

In Alabama, the ALERT FM system is deployed in 18 counties, across one-third of state.  ALERT FM uses Radio Broadcast Data Service (RBDS) FM-subcarrier technology to deliver text alerts up to 240-characters to any electronic device with ALERT FM software and an enabled FM radio receiver chip. 

“With an FM receiver chip in every fixed and mobile device, the ALERT FM emergency alert text message broadcast would be ubiquitous and reach even more people during times of local or national disasters and other emergencies,” explained Robert L. Adams, President and Chief Executive Officer, Global Security Systems (GSS), parent of ALERT FM.  “In addition,” adds Adams, “ALERT FM ‘wakes up’ the FM-enabled device when an emergency alert message is delivered, further enhancing public safety.”
 
David DuBose, Vice President and Market Manager for Cox Media Group’s Birmingham, Alabama radio stations -- a seven-station cluster that played a key role in sending ALERT FM messages to help protect the community -- stated, “I know we saved a lot of folks because we are saw the posts on our Facebook page.  Many people called our stations to say their power was off at their home due to the storms early on Wednesday morning before the killer tornados even touched down.  They relied on our stations and The GSS ALERT FM system for vital information.”
Pickens County, Alabama, Emergency Management Director Ken Gibson confirmed that the ALERT FM system functioned exceptionally well during the multiple tornado storm warnings and without interruption– an advantage of the FM-based delivery system in contrast to cellular signals that are notorious for experiencing drop-outs from overload, most notably during high-volume usage like in an emergency. 

In addition, ALERT FM can target FM-enabled devices in a single school, a football arena, or the entire country.
 
“This is exactly why the American public needs and deserves FM chip integration in their electronic devices, including mobile phones,” noted Sharon Tinsley, President of the Alabama Broadcasters Association. 

The deployment in Alabama was part of the Remote Community Alert Systems Program, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and National Weather Service (NWS) effort to provide for outdoor alerting technologies in remote communities underserved by commercial mobile services.

GSS will demonstrate the ALERT FM System during CES On The Hill, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) event that targets members of Congress, on May 10 at Booth 21.  The demonstration will feature the ALERT FM’s integration capabilities with the GPX docking station and Chumby device.

Last fall, Global Security Systems (GSS) announced the completion of a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)-funded study conducted by Northrop Grumman Corporation that confirmed the effectiveness of FM radio-based alerts and warnings provided by ALERT FM.  

ALERT FM is a Common Alerting Protocol (CAP)-compliant solution capable of delivering both audio and data feeds to radio broadcasters.  More than 45 million people in 15 states have access to ALERT FM technology.  State broadcast associations from Alabama, California, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, and Tennessee, and radio groups K-LOVE, Air1, Commonwealth Broadcasting, and the Cromwell Group support ALERT FM for emergency alert messages in their states and markets. ALERT FM has been implemented at the university, state, county, and multi-county levels. 

About Global Security Systems and ALERT FM:
Global Security Systems (GSS) is a systems integrator, service provider, and manufacturer of the ALERT FM and GSSNet satellite delivery system.  Global Security Systems has participated in the development of IPAWS-based systems, is a member of the Commercial Mobile Alert Service systems committee, and is actively involved with several EAS and CAP committees.  The Global Security Systems nationwide GSSNet satellite delivery system for emergency alerts currently is in operation now at over 450 locations and growing daily.  It includes the ability to generate and deliver CAP messages.

Media Contact:
Renee Cassis
646-808-6505
cassis2@msn.com

ALERT FM - Helps Saves Lives During Alabama Tornadoes.pdf (88.68 kb)

taken from The Meridian Star ( http://m.meridianstar.com/TMS/db_/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=5a97Sxol&full=true#display)

Weather alert systems being installed in public buildings

By Brian Livingston / blivingston@themeridianstar.com
Posted:  05/04/2011 6:30 AM

     
Even before last week's deadly tornado that ripped through northern Clarke County killing four people and injuring scores more, local emergency management officials were trying to install weather alert systems throughout Meridian and Lauderdale County.

The preventive measure, it is hoped by local officials, is that schools, hospitals, city and state government buildings, even day cares, will supply immediate alerts on impending severe weather. These alerts could save lives as every minute counts whenever severe weather threatens.

John Baxter, who is the Meridian severe weather coordinator for the National Weather Service, said these units send out audible alarms followed by the National Weather Service information heard by all emergency agencies during heightened weather events.

"They hear the broadcast of what kind of severe weather is coming and instructions on what to do," Baxter said. "Minutes are very important during these high risk times as was the case last week."

Lauderdale County Emergency Management Agency Director David Sharp said his agency was able to acquire about 500 weather alert units, both wall mount and desk top models. He said the systems were obtained through a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant.

"The wall mounted models run on a battery that has a five year life and the desk top models run off a power cord with a backup battery capability," Sharp said.

Sharp said hospitals, for example, would get several of the units comprising of both model types. He said wall mounts might be placed in emergency rooms while desk tops would go into campus security or administrative offices. Schools will be another important area for the systems as will large churches, the county court house and so forth.

Baxter said installation of the units in the county schools had just completed the day before the tornado struck Clarke County.
  

"If you think of any place where a large number of the general public is going to be at any given time, like the main post office downtown, that is where these will be located," Baxter pointed out.

Sharp said additionally places such as day care centers will be receiving the alert systems to help them usher their children to safety more quickly. All volunteer fire departments will get the systems and Baxter said sports fields such as soccer and baseball fields will be considered.