Disaster Prompts Public to Sign Up for Emergency Alerts
We may not like it, but once again it's proven as a fact. There's one thing that will cause the public to sign up to receive emergency alerts, and that's a disaster...unfortunately, one that has already occurred, not one that could occur.
We may not like it, but once again it's proven as a fact. There's one thing that will cause the public to sign up to receive emergency alerts, and that's a disaster...unfortunately, one that has already occurred, not one that could occur.
More evidence: Santa Cruz, California along the coast reports receiving more registrations for emergency alerts on one day following the tsunami in Japan than they had the three months prior. 600 signed up on March 11th, according to MercuryNews.com.
Let's face it. Relying on citizens to register to sign up for emergency alerts is tough, but at this point, there's not much of a choice. A database of cell telephone numbers is not available, and growing numbers have dumped their land lands (with their published phone numbers) in favor of mobile devices. Strong public outreach is critical. In fact, perhaps the public should be made aware of the fact that more people sign up AFTER a disaster than at any one time...and, it could be too late to wait.
Thankfully, CMAS (Commercial Mobile Alert System) is coming, and will help. The public won't have to sign up to receive alerts about imminent threats, Amber alerts, or Presidential messaging. But, CMAS won't launch until next year...and, it will take time to get CMAS-capable mobile devices in the public's hands. It's been a while since we've written much about CMAS...so, expect something soon.
Meantime, tell your public not to wait until it's too late to register for emergency alerts.
