What a great safety program that puts our easy text messaging features to use for public emergencies! The new Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) is a nationwide program adopted by the Federal Communications Commission that will generate SMS messages to users' phones in the event of an emergency. Three types of emergencies will be relayed to the public: a disaster (such as a terrorist attack), imminent or ongoing threats (like earthquakes) or child abductions (a.k.a. Amber Alerts).
It's not mandatory for carriers to adopt the program - AT&T, Sprint and Verizon Wireless have announced their willingness to participate, and users can opt out of receiving emergency messages. I don't know about you, but when it's available, I'm opting in!
More information is available here.
Greg A., CPP - Director, Global Safety and Security
When does it go into effect?
Posted by: Amy Rymes | April 20, 2008 at 10:38 PM
Oh excellent! Useless, paranoid "amber alerts" on my phone. Happy day!
Also, why is an earthquake not a "disaster"? Can you think of other
disasters than "terrorist attack"?
All in all, this appears to be a tool to heighten fear and compliance,
rather than to distribute useful information.
For ongoing problems in your local area, Twitter seems to be the
current tool of choice.
Posted by: Joe User | June 01, 2008 at 12:46 PM