From the Paris Post-Intelligencer, Thursday March 4, 2010  http://www.parispi.net/articles/2010/03/04/news/local_news/doc4b8fed8b2dadf743140214.prt

Paris TN: Henry County Emergency Management says new Alert FM radio system now operational in Henry County

By GLENN TANNER
P-I Staff Writer

The Henry County Emergency Management Agency has a new way of getting vital information to the public.

The agency recently installed a new Alert FM notification system at its office at 575 Cedar St. north of Paris.

The new system allows Henry County Emergency Management Director Ronald Watkins to use existing FM radio towers to send text messages about emergency conditions ranging from tornadoes to Amber Alerts.

Watkins said about 100 new receivers from Alert FM already have been distributed to area schools, day care and health care facilities, nursing homes and government buildings.

The portable receivers also are available for purchase to any citizen or business at a cost of $40.

Using a Web portal accessible from the Henry County EMA office, messages can be sent to all Alert FM receivers in the county, or just a specific area or group.

An alert tone notifies users that a new message has been received.

“Alert FM is a great addition to our existing notification system,” Watkins said. “We will be able to send up-to-date priority information to not only first responders, but (also) citizens as well.”

The system is intended to work hand-in-hand with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radios currently in use.

NOAA radios broadcast weather alerts to a specific area, and are activated from the NOAA office in Memphis.

Alert FM notification will be sent from a computer at the EMA office. Watkins said once use of the radios spreads locally, he hopes to be able to use them for more than weather alerts.

“We can put in road closures, we can put in school closures, we can put in any specific information that we want to disseminate to the public,” he said.

The system uses a data frequency from area radio stations WFGS at 103.7 FM, and WLZK at 94.1 FM.

Watkins said Alert FM radios currently are available online at www.alertfm.com. He hopes to have a local vendor for the receivers soon.

Friday, February 26, 2010- excerpt from myarklamiss.com. Click this link to see the full story.  http://myarklamiss.com/content/fulltext/?cid=56001

New Tornado Warning System
Reported by:
Friday, Feb 26, 2010 @06:30pm

People in Louisiana usually get weather warnings through local TV stations, NOAA weather radios, or just looking out the window.   That is all about to change if the state government approves a five million dollar funding plan to initiate a new statewide warning system. 

“Once the state goes online and they're able to accept the contract and get a contract from the provider then they will be able to get the local alerts.'" says Butch Beckham of Ouachita Parish Homeland Security.

These new local alerts will be sent to a tiny radio receiver which alerts residents based on zip code rather than just by parish.  The unit is so small that it can fit in your pocket.  It is also battery powered which means if the power goes out you will still receive the alerts. 

Beckham is hopeful that the new system will be approved by the end of the year and will provide Louisiana residents a safe and fast tornado warning system.

Beckham says, "Using electronic media that in their hands that is almost instantaneous. Then you're cutting off 60 seconds off a tornado and getting to shelters you're doing a lot."

If you’re interested in purchasing one of these radios you can go to www.alertfm.com.  As for now, they will only give warning based on parish.  Once the new funding is approved then the local warning feature will be in effect.  

Decatur County Utilizes ALERT FM Technology
First responders, schools, businesses, and citizens to benefit

Decaturville, Tennessee- February18, 2010-Decatur County Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) announced today that they have fully implemented and installed ALERT FM- an FM radio-based emergency notification system-as part of their emergency notification capabilities. The system was paid for using a NWS weather service grant obtained by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.  

This new technology will allow Kevin Cagle, DEMA director, and his emergency management team to send targeted information to specific groups of citizens, schools, businesses, and first responders. Information might include school closings, severe weather warnings, and evacuation notices and instructions.

“ALERT FM is great addition to our current notification capabilities,” Cagle said. “Citizens and first responders can get critical timely information regarding severe weather and other emergency situations.”

To receive this information, citizens, schools, and businesses must be equipped with an ALERT FM receiver.  Receivers are portable, light weight, and easy to program. Receivers are available at the Radio Shack on Tennessee Avenue in Parsons or at  www.alertfm.com for around $40 with no recurring fees after purchase.   

 ALERT FM is unique compared to other notification systems because it delivers messages using the data subcarrier of local FM radio transmission towers. The use of this pre-existing network of FM towers provides overlapping signal coverage for the area. FM stations currently participating
in the ALERT FM network for the county are WFGZ (94.5), WLVS (106.5), and WKJQ (97.3). These overlapping stations ensure message distribution over a large “FM footprint” which gives DEMA the potential to reach the county’s 11,288 citizens in mere seconds.

Additionally, the DEMA system will be fully compatible with the ALERT FM systems implemented in other counties around the Mid-South, Western Tennessee, and across the entire State of Mississippi.  Any ALERT FM receiver is fully functional in these areas provided it is programmed for that local area. 

“ALERT FM provides valuable information to citizens and business of Decatur County no matter if they are at home or work or traveling throughout the surrounding counties,” Jim Lowery, general manager of Global Security Systems, LLC.

For more information visit www.alertfm.com.

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About ALERT FM
ALERT FM is owned and operated by Global Security Systems, LLC (GSS) of Jackson, Miss. It is a personal alert and messaging system that enables state and local government and private sector officials to create and send emergency information to targeted recipients. Potential information includes severe weather warnings, homeland security notices, hurricane evacuation instructions, utility notices, plant or school closings, employee notifications and traffic alerts. First responders, school officials, citizens, and businesses can receive this information based on geographic or organizational groupings through specially designed ALERT FM receivers or any device equipped with a standard FM chip. ALERT FM has been implemented at the university, state, county and multi-county levels. More than 30 million people in 13 states have access to ALERT FM technology.

Decatur AFM announcement press release.pdf (82.33 kb)

EMA Urges Residents to Prepare for Severe Weather Season
Residents encouraged to purchase an ALERT FM receiver

Holly Springs, Mississippi- February 15, 2010- As part of Severe Weather Awareness week (February 14-20), Hugh Hollowell, director of the Marshall County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), urges residents to begin preparing for severe weather that tends to frequent the county during the months of March, April, and May.

As part of this preparation, residents are encouraged to purchase an ALERT FM receiver. EMA purchased and began using ALERT FM in 2008 as a means of notifying schools, business, and residents of impending severe weather conditions and emergency instructions. ALERT FM receivers are small, light weight, and easy to program. They can be purchased for less than $40 with no recurring usage fees after purchase from Booker Hardware or www.alertfm.com.

“An ALERT FM Receiver provides a reliable way to get potentially life-saving information from a variety of sources ranging from the National Weather Service to state and local emergency officials,” Jim Lowery, general manager of Global Security Systems, said.

Besides having an ALERT FM receiver, there are other tips that residents need to follow to prepare for severe weather. This includes developing an emergency plan, having a disaster supply kit, practicing drills, and knowing your location in relation to the impending storm.

“Preparing for severe weather is the best way to keep you and your family safe,” Hollowell said. “Using an ALERT FM receiver will help you get the most up-to-date weather warning.”
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About ALERT FM
ALERT FM is owned and operated by Global Security Systems, LLC (GSS) of Jackson, Miss. It is a personal alert and messaging system that enables state and local government and private sector officials to create and send emergency information to targeted recipients. Potential information includes severe weather warnings, homeland security notices, hurricane evacuation instructions, utility notices, plant or school closings, employee notifications and traffic alerts. First responders, school officials, citizens, and businesses can receive this information based on geographic or organizational groupings through specially designed ALERT FM receivers or any device equipped with a standard FM chip. ALERT FM has been implemented at the university, state, county and multi-county levels. More than 30 million people in 13 states have access to ALERT FM technology.

Marshall AFM severe weather press release.pdf (118.62 kb)

EMA Urges Residents to Prepare for Severe Weather Season
Residents encouraged to purchase an ALERT FM receiver

Starkville, Mississippi- February12, 2010- As part of Severe Weather Awareness week (February 14-20), Jim Britt, director of the Oktibbeha County Emergency Management Agency (OEMA), urges residents to begin preparing for severe weather that tends to frequent the county during the months of March, April, and May.

As part of this preparation, residents are encouraged to purchase an ALERT FM receiver. OEMA purchased and began using ALERT FM in 2008 as a means of notifying schools, business, and residents of impending severe weather conditions and emergency instructions. ALERT FM receivers are small, light weight, and easy to program. They can be purchased for less than $40 with no recurring usage fees after purchase from Starkville Computers or www.alertfm.com.

“An ALERT FM Receiver provides a reliable way to get potentially life-saving information from a variety of sources ranging from the National Weather Service to state and local emergency officials,” Jim Lowery, general manager of Global Security Systems, said.

Besides having an ALERT FM receiver, there are other tips that residents need to follow to prepare for severe weather. This includes developing an emergency plan, having a disaster supply kit, practicing drills, and knowing your location in relation to the impending storm.

“Preparing for severe weather is key to surviving big storms that cross our county,” Britt said. “Owning an ALERT FM receiver and following the severe weather preparedness tips could potentially save your life.”

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About ALERT FM
ALERT FM is owned and operated by Global Security Systems, LLC (GSS) of Jackson, Miss. It is a personal alert and messaging system that enables state and local government and private sector officials to create and send emergency information to targeted recipients. Potential information includes severe weather warnings, homeland security notices, hurricane evacuation instructions, utility notices, plant or school closings, employee notifications and traffic alerts. First responders, school officials, citizens, and businesses can receive this information based on geographic or organizational groupings through specially designed ALERT FM receivers or any device equipped with a standard FM chip. ALERT FM has been implemented at the university, state, county and multi-county levels. More than 30 million people in 13 states have access to ALERT FM technology.

Oktibbeha AFM severe weather press release.pdf (68.08 kb)

EMA Urges Residents to Prepare for Severe Weather Season
Residents encouraged to purchase an ALERT FM receiver

Houston, Mississippi- February 11, 2010- As part of Severe Weather Awareness week (February 14-20), Linda Griffin, interim director of the Chickasaw County Emergency Management Agency (CEMA), urges residents to begin preparing for severe weather that tends to frequent the county during the months of March, April, and May.

As part of this preparation, residents are encouraged to purchase an ALERT FM receiver. OEMA purchased and began using ALERT FM in 2009 as a means of notifying schools, business, and residents of impending severe weather conditions and emergency instructions. ALERT FM receivers are small, light weight, and easy to program. They can be purchased for less than $40 with no recurring usage fees after purchase from Nabors Home Center or www.alertfm.com.

“An ALERT FM Receiver provides a reliable way to get potentially life-saving information from a variety of sources ranging from the National Weather Service to state and local emergency officials,” Jim Lowery, general manager of Global Security Systems, said.

Besides having an ALERT FM receiver, there are other tips that residents need to follow to prepare for severe weather. This includes developing an emergency plan, having a disaster supply kit, practicing drills, and knowing your location in relation to the impending storm.

“ALERT FM is a key part of our severe weather and emergency notification capabilities,” Griffin said. “Getting up-to-date information is first step into preparing for severe weather.”
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About ALERT FM
ALERT FM is owned and operated by Global Security Systems, LLC (GSS) of Jackson, Miss. It is a personal alert and messaging system that enables state and local government and private sector officials to create and send emergency information to targeted recipients. Potential information includes severe weather warnings, homeland security notices, hurricane evacuation instructions, utility notices, plant or school closings, employee notifications and traffic alerts. First responders, school officials, citizens, and businesses can receive this information based on geographic or organizational groupings through specially designed ALERT FM receivers or any device equipped with a standard FM chip. ALERT FM has been implemented at the university, state, county and multi-county levels. More than 30 million people in 13 states have access to ALERT FM technology.

Chickasaw AFM severe weather press release.pdf (113.77 kb)

Lafayette County Benefits from ALERT FM Technology
First responders, schools, businesses, and citizens can receive messages

Oxford, Mississippi- February 10, 2010-  Lafayette County Emergency Management Agency (LEMA) announced today that the county has added ALERT FM- an FM radio-based emergency notification system-as part of their emergency notification capabilities.

This new system is fully installed and is actively being used by David Shaw, LEMA director, to notify first responders, schools, businesses, and citizens of severe weather and possibly other situations. The system was paid for through a Homeland Security grant.    

“We are excited to be using ALERT FM to send Lafayette County citizens up-to-date severe weather warnings and other emergency information,“  Shaw said.  “Due to the proactive steps taken by the Board of Supervisors, Lafayette County citizens now have the ability to utilize a portable device that will expand their communications ability to a whole new level in terms of emergency notification.”

Citizens, schools, and businesses are encouraged to purchase an ALERT FM receiver so that they will be able to receive this emergency information from LEMA.  Receivers are available at Sneed’s Ace Hardware or at www.alertfm.com for around $40 with no recurring fees after purchase. Receivers are light weight, portable, and easy to program.

LEMA decided to purchase this system because of its unique message transmission. Messages are delivered using the data subcarrier of local FM radio transmission towers. The use of this pre-existing network of FM towers provides overlapping signal coverage for the area. FM stations currently participating in the ALERT FM network for the county are WMAV (90.3), WBLE(100.5), WZLQ (98.5), and WWMS (97.5). These overlapping stations ensure message distribution over a large “FM footprint” which gives LEMA the potential to reach the county’s 43,922 citizens in mere seconds.

The LEMA system is also fully compatible with the ALERT FM systems implemented in other counties around the Mid-South, Western Tennessee, and across the entire State of Mississippi.  Any ALERT FM receiver is fully functional in these areas provided it is programmed for that local area. 

“ALERT FM provides valuable information to citizens and business of Lafayette County no matter if they are at home or work or traveling throughout the surrounding counties,” Jim Lowery, general manager of Global Security Systems, LLC.

For more information visit www.alertfm.com.

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About ALERT FM
ALERT FM is owned and operated by Global Security Systems, LLC (GSS) of Jackson, Miss. It is a personal alert and messaging system that enables state and local government and private sector officials to create and send emergency information to targeted recipients. Potential information includes severe weather warnings, homeland security notices, hurricane evacuation instructions, utility notices, plant or school closings, employee notifications and traffic alerts. First responders, school officials, citizens, and businesses can receive this information based on geographic or organizational groupings through specially designed ALERT FM receivers or any device equipped with a standard FM chip. ALERT FM has been implemented at the university, state, county and multi-county levels. More than 30 million people in 13 states have access to ALERT FM technology.

Lafayette AFM announcement press release.pdf (70.06 kb)

Lake County Utilizes ALERT FM Technology
First responders, schools, businesses, and citizens to benefit

Tiptonville, Tennessee- February 8, 2010- In light of Earthquake Awareness Week (February 8-12), Lake County Emergency Management Agency (LEMA) is pleased to announce that they have fully implemented and installed ALERT FM- an FM radio-based emergency notification system-as part of their emergency notification capabilities. The system was paid for using a NWS weather service grant obtain by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.  

This new technology will allow Jack Mauldin, LEMA director, and his emergency management team to send targeted information to specific groups of first responders, schools, businesses, and citizens. Information might include school closings, severe weather warnings, and evacuation notices and instructions.

“ALERT FM is a great addition to our county’s notification capabilities,” Mauldin said. “We will be able to reach a thousands of people in less than a few seconds.”

 To receive this information, citizens, schools, and businesses must be equipped with an ALERT FM receiver.  Receivers are portable, light weight, and easy to program. Receivers are available at Food Rite or www.alertfm.com for around $40 with no recurring fees after purchase.

ALERT FM is unique compared to other notification systems because it delivers messages using the data subcarrier of local FM radio transmission towers. The use of this pre-existing network of FM towers provides overlapping signal coverage for the area. FM stations currently participating
in the ALERT FM network for the county are WTNV (97.3) and WASL(100.1). These overlapping stations ensure message distribution over a large “FM footprint” which gives LEMA the potential to reach the county’s 7,323 citizens in mere seconds.

Additionally, the LEMA system will be fully compatible with the ALERT FM systems implemented in other counties around the Mid-South, Western Tennessee, and across the entire State of Mississippi.  Any ALERT FM receiver is fully functional in these areas provided it is programmed for that local area. 

“ALERT FM provides valuable information to citizens and business of Lake County no matter if they are at home or work or traveling throughout the surrounding counties,” Jim Lowery, general manager of Global Security Systems, LLC.

For more information visit www.alertfm.com.

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About ALERT FM
ALERT FM is owned and operated by Global Security Systems, LLC (GSS) of Jackson, Miss. It is a personal alert and messaging system that enables state and local government and private sector officials to create and send emergency information to targeted recipients. Potential information includes severe weather warnings, homeland security notices, hurricane evacuation instructions, utility notices, plant or school closings, employee notifications and traffic alerts. First responders, school officials, citizens, and businesses can receive this information based on geographic or organizational groupings through specially designed ALERT FM receivers or any device equipped with a standard FM chip. ALERT FM has been implemented at the university, state, county and multi-county levels. More than 30 million people in 13 states have access to ALERT FM technology.

Lake AFM announcement press release.pdf (69.09 kb)

EMA Urges Residents to Prepare for Severe Weather Season
Residents encouraged to purchase an ALERT FM receiver

Pontotoc, Mississippi- February 8, 2010- As part of Severe Weather Awareness week (February 14-20), Ricky Jaggers, director of the Pontotoc County Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), urges residents to begin preparing for severe weather that tends to frequent the county during the months of March, April, and May.

As part of this preparation, residents are encouraged to purchase an ALERT FM receiver. PEMA purchased and began using ALERT FM in 2007 as a means of notifying schools, business, and residents of impending severe weather conditions and emergency instructions. ALERT FM receivers are small, light weight, and easy to program. They can be purchased for less than $40 with no recurring usage fees after purchase from www.alertfm.com, Sneed’s Ace Hardware in Oxford, or Nabors Home Center in Houston.

“An ALERT FM Receiver provides a reliable way to get potentially life-saving information from a variety of sources ranging from the National Weather Service to state and local emergency officials,” Jim Lowery, general manager of Global Security Systems, said.

Besides having an ALERT FM receiver, there are other tips that residents need to follow to prepare for severe weather. This includes developing an emergency plan, having a disaster supply kit, practicing drills, and knowing your location in relation to the impending storm.

“ALERT FM is a key piece of our county’s preparedness strategy for severe weather and other hazards,”  Jaggers said. “An ALERT FM receiver plus following the severe weather tips will potentially save lives.”

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About ALERT FM
ALERT FM is owned and operated by Global Security Systems, LLC (GSS) of Jackson, Miss. It is a personal alert and messaging system that enables state and local government and private sector officials to create and send emergency information to targeted recipients. Potential information includes severe weather warnings, homeland security notices, hurricane evacuation instructions, utility notices, plant or school closings, employee notifications and traffic alerts. First responders, school officials, citizens, and businesses can receive this information based on geographic or organizational groupings through specially designed ALERT FM receivers or any device equipped with a standard FM chip. ALERT FM has been implemented at the university, state, county and multi-county levels. More than 30 million people in 13 states have access to ALERT FM technology.

Pontotoc AFM Severe Weather press release.pdf (73.57 kb)

DeSoto County Utilizes ALERT FM Technology
First responders, schools, businesses, and citizens to benefit

Hernando, Mississippi- February 5, 2010- DeSoto County Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) announced today that they have fully implemented and installed ALERT FM- an FM radio-based emergency notification system-as part of their emergency notification capabilities. The system was paid for using a homeland security grant from the Memphis/Shelby County Urban Area Security Initiative.  

This new technology will allow Bobby Storey, DEMA director, and his emergency management team to send targeted information to specific groups of first responders, schools, businesses, and citizens. Information might include school closings, severe weather warnings, and evacuation notices and instructions.

“ALERT FM will provide a key addition to the alert and warning capabilities of DeSoto County and the Mid-South,” Storey said. “The system will allow us to send timely up-to-date information not only first responders but citizens as well.”

 To receive this information, citizens, schools, and businesses must be equipped with an ALERT FM receiver.  Receivers are portable, light weight, and easy to program. Receivers are available at the Home Appliance Store or at www.alertfm.com for around $40 with no recurring fees after purchase.

 ALERT FM is unique compared to other notification systems because it delivers messages using the data subcarrier of local FM radio transmission towers. The use of this pre-existing network of FM towers provides overlapping signal coverage for the area. FM stations currently participating
in the ALERT FM network for the county are WRBO (103.5), WKIM (98.9), WKNO (91.1), WYPL (89.3), WBLE (100.5), WMSB (88.9), and WMAV (90.3). These overlapping stations ensure message distribution over a large “FM footprint” which gives DEMA the potential to reach the county’s 155,000 citizens in mere seconds.

Additionally, the DEMA system will be fully compatible with the ALERT FM systems implemented in other counties around the Mid-South, Western Tennessee, and across the entire State of Mississippi.  Any ALERT FM receiver is fully functional in these areas provided it is programmed for that local area. 

“ALERT FM provides valuable information to citizens and business of Desoto County no matter if they are at home or work or traveling throughout the surrounding counties,” Jim Lowery, general manager of Global Security Systems, LLC.

For more information visit www.desotoms.com/departments/emergency-services/ema or www.alertfm.com.

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About ALERT FM
ALERT FM is owned and operated by Global Security Systems, LLC (GSS) of Jackson, Miss. It is a personal alert and messaging system that enables state and local government and private sector officials to create and send emergency information to targeted recipients. Potential information includes severe weather warnings, homeland security notices, hurricane evacuation instructions, utility notices, plant or school closings, employee notifications and traffic alerts. First responders, school officials, citizens, and businesses can receive this information based on geographic or organizational groupings through specially designed ALERT FM receivers or any device equipped with a standard FM chip. ALERT FM has been implemented at the university, state, county and multi-county levels. More than 30 million people in 13 states have access to ALERT FM technology.

Desoto AFM announcement press release.pdf (99.47 kb)