New York, FCC and wireless carriers have come out with a new emergency alert system. The system will be called called PLAN. (Personalized Localized Alerting Network) The PLAN is to notify mobile users in a specific geographic location. So it will use the GPS of your mobile device to warn you of hazardous/life threatening situations around you. Here is to hoping the system works when it is really needed. Unlike the Emergency Alert System that did not go off during 9/11 in New York. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg had the following to say about the system:
One of the many lessons that were reinforced on 9/11 is the importance of getting clear and accurate information to the public–that’s why we’ve made improving our emergency public communications a top priority. As part of this effort, we’re harnessing tech in innovative new ways, which is something I found to be effective in both business and government for improving service delivery.
If you have a compatible mobile device you will receive emergency alerts based on your GPS location. There is no word yet on when compatible phones will hit the market or now to make the phone you have now compatible. PLAN will have three types of alerts:
- Alerts issues by the President
- Alerts warning of imminent threats (Think Weather)
- Amber Alerts.
You can block Imminent threats and Amber Alerts but an alert by the President can not be blocked. The system will be in New York and Washington, D.C. soon. Real soon like by the end of the year soon. The rest of the US will get it by April of 2012.
This is a great idea. Hopefully it’ll work.
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