Florida to study wireless for warning systems

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) wants to examine alternative emergency warning systems-including those based on wireless technology-in the aftermath of the Feb. 2 tornado that killed 20 people.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management will study the issue and report back to Crist, said Vivian Myrtetus, a spokeswoman for the governor.
Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp told the Tallahassee Democrat that Crist was looking into a variety of ways to notify citizens faster before and during emergencies, but that building more sirens is likely not at the top of the list.
“We’re not really sure what’s going to be the best way to provide notice. We’re open to all suggestions,” Kottkamp told the newspaper.
CellCast Technologies Inc., a Houston firm, said it submitted a report on using cell-broadcast technology to alert residents of natural and man-made disasters.
“Today’s population is increasingly mobile, which means traditional emergency alerts reach fewer and fewer people,” said Paul Klein, chief operating officer for CellCast Technologies. “Cell broadcast is a necessary tool to reach a geographically specific public of an impending danger because most people have cellphones or are near someone with a cellphone.”
Congress last year directed the Federal Communications Commission to upgrade the existing emergency alert system, which dates back to the Cold War and relies primarily on television, radio and cable TV.
“Most cellphones have cell-broadcast capability built in,” said Klein. “Also, the nation’s infrastructure is already in place, therefore requiring no significant new development. What is required for government entities and the public to benefit from this technology is for carriers to participate in an integrated cell-broadcast system.”
While some smaller cellphone operators have shown interest in cell-broadcast technology, which various countries around the world have embraced, the nation’s largest wireless operators have not bought in because they want to study other options as part of an industry-government effort at the Federal Communications Commission to modernize emergency warnings. The FCC has been working on new emergency alert guidelines the past few years.
President Bush last June gave the Department of Homeland Security additional jurisdiction over public warning.