FROM THE OFFICE OF THE ALABAMA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, February 3, 2011
ALERT FM Expanded to include 8 Additional Counties
Clanton - The Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) announced today that ALERT FM emergency notification system is being made available in eight additional counties in southwest Alabama - Baldwin, Bibb, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Monroe, and Washington. With the addition of these counties, the southwest quarter of the state is now covered by this FM radio-based notification technology.
In 2010 ALERT FM was implemented in Mobile, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Marengo, Perry, Pickens, Sumter, and Wilcox counties. This project is funded through a Remote Community Alert Systems Program grant from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/National Weather Service (NWS).
ALERT FM is an FM radio-based emergency notification system that allows county officials to send geographically targeted messages to residents, schools, businesses, and first responders who are equipped with an ALERT FM receiver. Types of messages that might be received include severe weather warnings, school closings, boil water notices, and evacuation notices and instructions. Receivers will be available for purchase at local hardware or electronics retailers in the area for around $40. Receivers are portable and can be programmed for multiple geographical areas.
“We are pleased eight additional counties are able to benefit from this grant provided by the National Weather Service.” said Director Art Faulkner. “ALERT FM will help more residents stay informed during natural or manmade disasters.”
Representatives from Global Security Systems, the operator of ALERT FM, will meet with the emergency management officials from all eight counties Friday, February 4, 10:00 a.m. at the Mobile County EOC to kickoff the implementation process. They will discuss the features and uses of ALERT FM, the schedule for complete implementation of the system, and training for the users of the system.
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NR ALERT FM to include 8 additional counties.doc (184.00 kb)