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Mass notification systems alert individuals about approaching storms. View more storm images.
©iStockphoto.comTechnology has transformed how we stay connected and informed. Consider how our daily tools have evolved in the past two decades: email, instant messaging, mobile phones, SMS (text messages), PDAs, and more. While we recognize how this tech boosts communication and productivity, did you know it can also be life-saving in emergencies?
This article explores emergency notifications—messages sent across various platforms to alert large groups of people about imminent or ongoing threats.
Miscommunication often turns emergencies into disasters. Recall the confusion and breakdowns during the World Trade Center tragedy. Or the 2003 California wildfire, where poor communication resulted in 17 fatalities because firefighters had to go door-to-door to warn residents to evacuate.
In recent times, a whole industry has been established to bridge the communication gaps left by natural and human-made disasters. These 'mass notification' or 'emergency notification' systems provide everything from robust outdoor broadcasting technologies to automated electronic alerts sent through e-mails, cell phones, and PDAs.
Companies are subscribing to these services to meet newly established federal requirements for disaster recovery plans. Schools and universities are protecting their students and giving parents peace of mind with campus-wide alert systems. Local governments are offering automated emergency notifications, which citizens can choose to receive via e-mail, phone calls, or text messages.
In this article, we will classify emergency notifications into two broad categories: indiscriminate warnings and targeted alerts. Keep reading to understand how indiscriminate emergency notifications function.
Non-Discriminating Alarms
The sound of an air raid siren can carry for miles.
Courtesy of Oak Ridge National Laboratory Emergency Management Center.An air raid siren is a prime example of a universal emergency alert. Its distinctive sound or recorded message is broadcast to everyone within hearing range, regardless of their identity or the devices they have. Other warning systems, however, depend on tools like televisions, radios, phones, computers, or handheld devices to deliver their message.
Unlike specific or targeted warnings, the purpose of an air-raid siren is to reach as many people as possible, not just those who are most at risk from the event.
"Air-raid siren" is actually a bit of a misnomer. Few long-range alert systems today are used solely for warning citizens of a military strike. In fact, modern warning sirens are employed for a variety of other emergencies, such as:
- Fire department alerts
- Severe weather warnings
- Tornado alerts
- Hurricane warnings
- Tsunami alerts
- Dam failure notifications
- Chemical spill warnings
Many modern sirens start with a series of warning tones, followed by a recorded message urging people to tune into their televisions or radios for further details. These broadcasts are part of the larger, non-discriminating Emergency Alert System (EAS).
The Emergency Alert System (EAS), previously called the Emergency Broadcast System, was established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to allow the president to address the nation during times of crisis. In 1963, state and local emergency authorities were also granted the ability to use the system, which now broadcasts over TV, radio, satellite, cable, and digital channels.
Messages sent through the EAS are more targeted compared to siren warnings, as state and local authorities can choose which stations to use for broadcasting their alerts based on the regions most affected. The EAS also collaborates with the National Weather Service to deliver real-time weather updates and storm warnings to participating stations. Additionally, messages can be broadcast in Spanish for Spanish-speaking stations in the U.S.
The FCC is exploring the possibility of expanding the system to "take full advantage of digital and emerging communication technologies." Various private companies are competing to dominate the emergency notification industry. Click on the next page to learn more about these highly targeted emergency alert systems.
Since its creation, the Emergency Broadcast System (now the Emergency Alert System) has never been used for its original purpose, which was to allow the President to interrupt programming with an emergency message. However, the iconic test phrase is still remembered by many: "This is a test of the Emergency Broadcast System. This is only a test." With the EAS now fully digital, the old test phrase is becoming a thing of the past. The system is now tested nationally through an unobtrusive eight-second digital data signal. State and local authorities can still choose to use a test script.
Targeted Emergency Notifications
Alerts can be sent straight to mobile phones.A basic illustration of a targeted emergency notification system is a phone tree. Phone trees provide an efficient method for contacting a small to medium-sized group (typically fewer than 100 individuals). Since only those impacted by the emergency are contacted, phone trees are a form of targeted notification. Here's how they function:
- The organizer prepares a list of all phone tree members, ensuring all relevant contact details are included.
- Members input their individual contact information—phone numbers, fax numbers, and email addresses—into the system using the web portal or software provided.
- The organizer assigns each key member a group of no more than 10 individuals to call.
- In case of an emergency, the organizer reaches out to the key members with a pre-prepared message.
- The key members then pass on the message to everyone in their group, ensuring it is received. If someone is unreachable within a set time limit, the key member reports the issue to the organizer.
Phone trees do have their drawbacks:
- If a key member cannot be reached, the responsibility falls back on the organizer or other key members, who may not be able to complete all calls on time.
- The larger the group, the higher the chances of one or more key members being unavailable.
- Phone trees are limited because they rely solely on one communication method. In contrast, automated electronic notification systems, which we'll discuss next, can send messages across various platforms.
Numerous companies provide mass and emergency notification services, which essentially act as automated phone trees. These systems can simultaneously send alerts to thousands of recipients using various communication methods, such as email, phone calls, cell phones, SMS, pagers, PDAs, and fax.
Most of these notification services operate on a subscription basis, meaning the required software and hardware are maintained off-site. Clients access the system through a web portal or a simple desktop API (Application Programming Interface). Here's a breakdown of how a typical system works:
- Employees of the company or organization log into the notification system via a web portal or a simple desktop application.
- They input individual contact details—such as phone numbers, email addresses, and SMS contacts—into the system’s database.
- The system allows users to organize contacts into numerous groups and subgroups. Many platforms also offer an option to upload contacts and groups directly from email programs like Microsoft Outlook. (Some systems recommend limiting user access to only the largest contact groups.)
- When a notification needs to be sent, users log into the system via the web portal or phone.
- They then select which communication channels they wish to use to send the alert. Most systems support text-to-speech functionality, enabling written messages to also be broadcast as audio to phone recipients.
- Once the message is composed and sent, it reaches the service’s remote servers, which then distribute it instantly to recipients, whether it's 5 or 500,000 people.
Automated emergency notification systems have numerous potential use cases, such as:
- Severe weather conditions
- Natural disasters like wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis, and floods
- Terrorist attacks
- Industrial accidents
- Child abductions
- Alerts about dangerous individuals in the area
Many local governments and townships partner with mass notification services to ensure citizens are informed during emergencies. For instance, Washington D.C. offers a system where residents can subscribe to receive emergency alerts via email, SMS, or cell phone.
These systems can integrate with geographic data to create highly targeted and precise messages. The InstaCom GIS system by mass notification company 3n enables municipal emergency responders and law enforcement officials to send alerts using a GPS map interface. This allows them to target specific areas, such as a particular zip code or homes within a defined radius of an emergency.
Geographically targeted systems are particularly useful for informing citizens about localized incidents, such as a gas leak, chemical spill, child abduction, or even a prison escape.
Here are some key benefits and features of automated mass notification systems:
- Quickly reaches all constituents simultaneously during an emergency, saving valuable time
- Allows emergency personnel to focus on other critical tasks
- Increases the likelihood of the message being received by utilizing all available communication channels
- Messages can be sent via web or phone, ensuring alerts can still be delivered even without an internet connection
- Provides real-time tracking and confirmation of message receipt
- Some systems stop contacting members after a specific number of attempts, which is especially useful when volunteers are needed quickly
- Enables the recording of messages and their posting on a virtual bulletin board, accessible to employees or citizens via a special 800 number and PIN
Continue reading to learn more about emergency notifications and the technology behind them.
