Importance of Emergency Alert Systems

Over-the-air (OTA) broadcasting—television and radio signals transmitted freely via airwaves—continues to play a critical role during disasters, despite the rise of internet-based communication. Its value lies in resilience, accessibility, and reach. Here's a breakdown of its importance: 1. Reliable When Other Systems Fail Independent of internet and cell networks: OTA signals don't rely on fiber lines, cellular infrastructure, or cloud services—all of which are vulnerable during hurricanes, wildfires, cyberattacks, or grid failures. Backup power: Many radio and TV stations have generators or fuel supplies that allow them to stay on-air even during extended power outages. Redundant infrastructure: Transmitters are often hardened and geographically dispersed, giving OTA better survivability than some telecom infrastructure. 2. Wide Accessibility Reaches rural and underserved communities: Not everyone has broadband or cell service, but most homes (and many vehicles) still have radios, and many TVs can access local channels without cable. No subscription needed: OTA access is free and doesn’t depend on the user’s economic status or digital literacy. Multi-lingual capabilities: Local stations often provide alerts in multiple languages, reflecting community demographics. 3. EAS (Emergency Alert System) Backbone OTA broadcast stations are integral to the Emergency Alert System, serving as Primary Entry Point (PEP) stations that originate and relay Presidential, FEMA, or state/local alerts. EAS messages automatically interrupt programming to provide life-saving information, even if the public isn't actively watching or listening. NOAA Weather Radio and AM/FM broadcasters are often the first to warn of tornadoes, flash floods, or chemical spills. 4. In-Vehicle Lifeline Car radios are key: People fleeing disasters often depend on OTA radio for situational awareness—road closures, shelter locations, fuel availability, and official updates. 5. Trust and Local Context Local broadcasters are often seen as trusted voices, especially when social media is full of misinformation or panic. They provide real-time context, not just alerts—live reports, press conferences, interviews with emergency officials, and community-specific guidance. 6. Supports Emergency Management Objectives OTA broadcasters can amplify official messaging rapidly across a jurisdiction. In some regions, broadcast stations are incorporated into Continuity of Operations (COOP) plans. Broadcasters often work directly with EOCs to push critical info like evacuation zones, boil water notices, curfews, and reentry policies. Educate the public on how to access OTA channels in an emergency. If you're working with state or local EM, this is a good area to collaborate with broadcast partners on both preparedness outreach and technical planning—especially to ensure public safety communications can reach all populations, regardless of digital access. https://www.nab.org/

Even after the flooding in the Hill Country of Texas over July 4th, #SanFrancisco refuses to find the will or the funding to fix its #OutdoorPublicWarningSystem sirens. As a former #SF #EmergencyManager, I hope the City rethinks this shortsighted decision. The City says it understands that “no single method [for alerting the public] reaches everyone” and thus it is “continually working to improve how we alert and warn the public.” But San Francisco relies almost solely on systems like #AlertSF and #WEA that require functioning cell towers. If or when those cell towers fail — as in a severe earthquake or other type of disaster that damages or overwhelms cell towers — having multiple ways to warn people that don’t ALL rely on those cell towers is critical. AlertSF, in addition to requiring functioning cell towers, is a subscriber-based system. That means members of the public have to opt in to receive alerts. (http://alertsf.org/) The federal #WirelessEmergencyAlerts or #WEAs, which #SF also relies on, will alert anyone whose cell phone is within the warned area. But again, this system requires functioning cell towers. It also requires, as we have seen from the flooding in Texas, that people have cell phones, and that they not disable the WEA function. Sirens are not meant to be a “solo act.” But sirens can help the City communicate during emergencies and disasters in conjunction with other systems. Sirens can also “step up” if or when other alerting systems fail. Especially in the parts of The City vulnerable to tsunami inundation (which can involve flooding sea water and dangerous offshore currents that last for hours), the siren system can be a critical tool to ensure people in the area learn of threats and take action to protect themselves before it’s too late. San Francisco has a moderate risk for distant source (e.g., Alaska, Japan) and regional source (e.g., Cascadia Subduction Zone) tsunamis. As one can see from the state-developed map of areas in The City that may be flooded in a worst-case tsunami, the impacts of such an incident could be devastating. (https://lnkd.in/gsgjfA7S) It will also be impossible for police, fire, and sheriff’s office personnel to adequately and safely evacuate residents and visitors in these areas who need help, especially in a regional source tsunami. Having a functioning siren system in those areas, at a minimum, would help. San Francisco is the “City That Knows How.” The Mayor and Board of Supervisors have found funding for other projects they champion, even in the midst of budget shortfalls. I hope these leaders learn from other locations where officials failed to do all they could to ensure redundancy in their #AlertAndWarning tools. Lives depend on their decision-making. https://lnkd.in/gwrYKpvY

🚨 Los Angeles Fires: A Critical Lesson in Emergency Mass Notification 🚨 In the face of emergencies like the devastating fires in Los Angeles, having a UNIFIED Mass Notification System isn’t just a "nice to have"—it's essential for saving lives. Here’s why: Despite the best efforts of emergency management teams, evacuation alerts from software systems were received HOURS after they were sent. This wasn’t due to damaged cell towers—they were sent before the towers were impacted. 🔑 What’s the solution? A truly UNIFIED Mass Notification System. A UNIFIED system ensures: ✅ Alerts are sent through multiple channels: electronic, indoor systems, and outdoor sirens. ✅ Redundancy protects communication when cellular and power systems fail. ✅ SAFE Units deliver alerts directly into homes, operating on a SAFE Network that doesn’t rely on cellular or AC power. The takeaway for emergency managers: "We have alert software; we’re good" is no longer enough. Even the most advanced software networks can fail in real-life emergencies. Outdoor sirens, indoor alerting, and resilient technologies like SAFE Units are game changers in reaching people when it matters most. As we watch these fires unfold, let’s push for stronger, more resilient notification systems to protect our communities. Lives depend on it. #EmergencyManagement #MassNotification #LosAngelesFires #DisasterPreparedness #PublicSafety

Here's my 2024 LinkedIn Rewind, by Coauthor.studio: 🔥 2024 reinforced a critical lesson about emergency alerts: We need to do better with our messaging. 🚨 When Texas issued a statewide Blue Alert 🔵 at 4:53 AM, it highlighted what our research had been showing - geographical reach and message relevancy directly impact public trust and willingness to maintain subscription to alert systems like WEA. The evidence is clear: effective warning messages require both urgency and geographical/textual precision. This year also brought new evidence-based messaging tools: • The Warning Lexicon reached 8,600+ downloads, supporting emergency managers across the globe 🌎 • Message Design Dashboard training conducted by Bent Ear Solutions and the University at Albany reached emergency managers representing more than 74% of the US population 🇺🇸 • The Warn Room grew into a vital resource for analyzing and improving alert effectiveness ⚠️ • Research findings on over-alerting, wildfire messaging, and public trust shaped national conversations about alert system use 🔥 Three posts that captured our mission: "The sound of a WEA must be justified by the urgency and relevance of the message" 📣 On the critical balance between alert reach and public trust https://lnkd.in/evQzTNwn "One year ago today (on Oct 31, 2023), we published The Warning Lexicon" 8,600+ downloads later, changing how emergency managers approach alerts You can still get it here FOR FREE bit.ly/WarningLexicon 👩🏫 "September is Disaster Preparedness Month" Sharing crucial research on wildfire messaging, all-clear protocols, and missing persons alerts 👮 🧑🚒 https://lnkd.in/eqyrzFcz Looking ahead: 2025 will focus on expanding our research on over-alerting impacts, refining missing persons alerts, and maintaining that critical balance between urgent communication and public trust. My research team is also developing new appendices for the Warning Lexicon, including comprehensive guidance for all-clear messaging. To every emergency manager working to keep communities safe through clear, effective communication: your dedication to improving alert quality directly saves lives. The message matters, and so does the messenger.