WASHINGTON-Rep. Carolyn Maloney (N.Y.) on Wednesday said she plans to introduce legislation to integrate wireless and Internet technologies into the nation’s emergency warning system.
The Maloney measure is expected to closely track a bill introduced earlier this year by Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.), a Democratic presidential candidate.
Maloney, chairwoman of the Homeland Security Task force for the Democratic caucus, wrote Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge on Monday to urge the department to establish a comprehensive emergency alert system that takes full advantage of new communications technologies to better inform and guide the public during national disasters.
“Since text messaging technology is already available, DHS should consider a uniform method of communicating with people who may be in transit, outdoors, or otherwise out of contact with traditional communications systems during a national disaster,” stated Maloney in the letter to Ridge.
Text messaging is one of various technologies put forward to deliver wireless emergency alerts.
An industry group advising the Federal Communications Commission and the non-profit Partnership for Public Warning also advocate modernizing the nation’s Emergency Alert System, which is limited to radio, television and cable TV communications.
