National Emergency Alerts To Ping Cell Phones, PDAs

Local 6 (Florida) ^ | July 12, 2006

[Stoat]

National Emergency Alerts To Ping Cell Phones, PDAs

Government Updating Cold-War Era Alert System

 

POSTED: 11:52 am EDT July 12, 2006

 

WASHINGTON -- We interrupt your cell phone call with this important announcement: The government will soon be sending warnings of national emergencies on wireless phones, Web sites and hand-held computers.

The new digital system will update the emergency alerts planned -- but never used -- during the Cold War in the event of a nuclear strike. More likely, these 21st-century technologies will carry warnings of natural disasters and terrorist attacks. The Homeland Security Department, through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, expects to have the system working by the end of next year. Though still in its pilot stages, the system is being demonstrated Wednesday at a public television station in suburban Virginia.

The Association of Public Television Stations is partnering with FEMA to transmit the alerts to receiving networks ranging from wireless devices, cable TV channels and satellite radio to traditional broadcast outlets. "Anything that can receive a text message will receive the alert," Homeland Security Department spokesman Aaron Walker said Tuesday. "We find that the new digital system is more secure, it's faster and it enables us to reach a wide array of citizens and alert them to pending disasters."

In 1951, President Harry Truman created the nation's first alert system, which required radio stations to broadcast only on certain frequencies during emergencies. That evolved into the test on TV and radio stations that solemnly intoned: "This is a test of the emergency broadcast system. This is only a test." Only the president can order a national emergency alert. The system was initially designed to warn Americans of a nuclear attack, but President Bush last month ordered Homeland Security to extend the alert "for situations of war, terrorist attack, natural disaster or other hazards to public safety and well-being."

The public TV stations have so far raised $1.1 billion - a third of it from the federal government - to convert antiquated technology at its 176 stations to digital systems that can transmit the alerts, APTS President John Lawson said. Overall, the new warning system is expected to cost $5.5 million to test and deploy nationally, and $1 million annually to maintain, Walker said.

The government has been testing the system in the Washington area since October 2004, Lawson said, and earlier this year expanded its pilot program to 23 public television stations nationwide. It will be rolled out to the public and emergency responders in stages, beginning in Gulf Coast states that were heavily damaged by hurricanes last year, and later in major cities. Peter P. Swire, chief privacy counselor during the Clinton administration and law professor at the Ohio State University, questioned whether the alerts might "be like spam or a telemarketing call" to people who don't want to receive the government warnings.

"Before the broadcast happens, people should likely have a choice whether to receive it," Swire said. Walker said consumers will have a chance to opt out of the alerts.

Some glitches remain as telephone companies and other networks grapple with potentially trying to alert all of their customers at the same time without jamming their systems, Lawson said. But the alerts could be transmitted by text messages, audio recordings, video or graphics, he said, opening the possibility of sending out additional detailed information to specific sectors, like hospitals or emergency responders. For alerting regular Americans, "we're hoping that your cell phone will go off saying something bad is happening, and you need to get to a TV or radio to find out what's going on," Lawson said.

[Stoat]

local6.com - News - Fact Sheet New Alert System

 

Fact Sheet: New Alert System

The government will soon be able to send warnings of national emergencies on wireless phones, Web sites and hand-held computers.

NEW ALERT SYSTEM:

• Government will soon be able to send warnings of national emergencies
• Program still in pilot stages
• System expected to be working by end of next year

  PARTICIPANTS:

• Homeland Security Department
• Federal Emergency Management Agency
• Association of Public Television Stations

  WHERE ALERTS WOULD BE:

   

• Cell phones
• Web sites
• Hand-held computers
• Other wireless devices
• Cable TV channels
• Satellite Radio
• Traditional broadcast outlets

  HOW TRANSMITTED

   

• Text messages
• Audio recordings
• Video
• Graphics

  MORE POSSIBILITIES:

• Could also send detailed information to hospitals, emergency responders

  BACK TO THE FUTURE:

• Updates emergency alerts planned but never used during Cold War
• Those alerts were to have been used in the event of a nuclear strike
• President Harry Truman created nation's first alert system in 1951
• Old system required radio stations broadcast only on certain frequencies during emergencies
• Evolved into the test on TV and radio stations that solemnly intoned: "This is a test of the emergency broadcast system. This is only a test."

  NEW THREATS:

• New Alert system would still warn of nuclear strike
• Could warn of terrorist attacks
• Would probably more often warn of natural disasters

  EXPECTED COST:

• $5.5 million to test and deploy nationally
• Cost expected to be $1 million annually to maintain

  NOT MANDATORY:

• Customers can opt out if they want

  STILL SOME GLITCHES:

• Systems could jam when trying to alert all customers at the same time

   (Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency)

 

Related To Story

 

AP Image

HOMELAND SECURITY

• Quick Facts: Updated Alert System
• Preparedness Tips
• Five Levels Of Alert System
   
  MORE RESOURCES
• Department Of Homeland Security
• Ready.gov
• Red Cross Family Crisis Plan
• Transportation Security Administration
• FEMA: Are You Ready?
   
  CONTACT INFORMATION
  Report suspicious activity to the FBI.
• Web Site: FBI Tips
• Toll-Free Hot Line: (866) 483-5137

 

[Stoat]

What?  It's only projected to cost $5.5 million, and another million per year to maintain....for a GOVERNMENT program??  Must be a typo.....Government programs always cost a minimum of half a billion, don't they?

Oh well, no worries....I will always have my own Homeland Security System anyhow  :-)

 

[KarlInOhio]

Is this going to be like the local emergency systems which are meant for major emergencies but seem to interrupt radio and TV programs every time there's a heavy rain or a child goes missing for five minutes?

[sionnsar]

Could warn of terrorist attacks

Does this mean I can keep my cellphone on in the plane? Or will they call the phone in the seat in front of me? *\;-)

[Stoat]

Is this going to be like the local emergency systems which are meant for major emergencies but seem to interrupt radio and TV programs every time there's a heavy rain or a child goes missing for five minutes?
 

This is going to be even better, because every time they test it or use it for a missing puppy alert it will also crash the entire cellphone network for at least three days  :-)

[BurbankKarl]

That and people will all get in their cars and crash into each other.

bad idea.

[dalereed]

I'll never get it since I won't open a text message ever!

I don't know anyone that would send me one and I sure as hell wouldn't ever send one to anyone that I know.

[Stoat]

Could warn of terrorist attacks

Does this mean I can keep my cellphone on in the plane? Or will they call the phone in the seat in front of me? *\;-)
 

No, they won't allow you to use your cellphone on the plane because to do so would be to acknowledge that they have have been lying to us for all this time about the 'dangers' of using cellphones on planes.   What they will most likely do is add some fine print to your ticket, saying that in the event of any activation of the National EBS system, the Airphone service for your plane seat will be activated and your Master Charge will be billed the usual $9.00  per minute charge, plus a service fee of course.  Enjoy your flight   :-)

Could warn of terrorist attacks

Does this mean I can keep my cellphone on in the plane? Or will they call the phone in the seat in front of me? *\;-)
 

No, they won't allow you to use your cellphone on the plane because to do so would be to acknowledge that they have have been lying to us for all this time about the 'dangers' of using cellphones on planes.   What they will most likely do is add some fine print to your ticket, saying that in the event of any activation of the National EBS system, the Airphone service for your plane seat will be activated and your Master Charge will be billed the usual $9.00  per minute charge, plus a service fee of course.  Enjoy your flight   :-)

[BurbankKarl]

Cellphones do interfere with plane fly-by-wire systems.

[Stoat]

That and people will all get in their cars and crash into each other.

bad idea.

I wonder how long this new system will last after the lawsuits start pouring in frompeople who have gotten into accidents or who have been 'emotionally traumatized' by the cellphone or PDA alert?

[taxcontrol]

Count me a skeptic, but I would think that a better first step would be to get the alert system working with reverse 911 first.

[Stoat]

Cellphones do interfere with plane fly-by-wire systems.

So I've heard....it's a shame though that people aren't allowed a less-expensive alternative to the Airphone systems, either from the airline or their phone providers.  The system as it is now creates a lot of resentment.

[Stoat]

Count me a skeptic, but I would think that a better first step would be to get the alert system working with reverse 911 first.

And you are using logic and rational thinking when critiquing a GOVERNMENT program??  Are you feeling all right today?   :-)

 

(kidding)

[ASA Vet]

That's similar to the mis-use of the NWS weather alerts.

After about the 4th "alarm" to tell me it's going to rain somewhere I shut the thing off.
I bought it to warn about tornadoes, not rain.

[Little_shoe]

I would agree. After spending some time in europe, I have come to think the contracts the us cell phone providers lock customers into are evil.

[Niteranger68]

After spending some time in europe, I have come to think the contracts the us cell phone providers lock customers into are evil

Buy the phone at regular price and you don't need a contract. The contract just insures the carrier that you will remain with them long enough for them to recoup the difference between the $250 cost of the phone and the $25 they actually charged you for it.

[stompk]

I remember those "emergency broadcast system" tests from when I was younger.

where was that on 9-11 ?

[flair2000]

I just hope it doesn't go off as often as Fox News Alerts do. They just did one a couple of minutes ago for police looking for a burglary suspect near Atlanta. Good Grief!

[txflake]

Is there anyway to get off the gov's ping list? As if any of us here need it.

[Stoat]

 

I remember those "emergency broadcast system" tests from when I was younger.

where was that on 9-11 ?

The EBS system for radio and TV is still active as far as I know...I hear and see tests for it every now and then, on the few times when I turn on the TV anymore.  It's still pretty regular on radio.  You may not hear them because perhaps the radio stations that you listen to are not designated as "primary EBS" stations...  they are the ones who, by FCC regulations, must run the regular audio tone tests.  Other secondary or tertiary EBS stations are held to different standards.

According to the article, this entire system is being revamped (with Government grants, of course)

I remember the community sirens also....they would test the sirens every Wednesday at noon as I was growing up. 

I believe that the entire siren warning system was deactivated sometime in the 1970's.

[Stoat]

where was that on 9-11 ?

I didn't hear or see an EBS warning on 911.  Not sure why, although I'm guessing that because it was such a very very public event, with ongoing live TV and radio coverage around the clock, that it may have been felt that adding and EBS warning would have been redundant.

[stompk]

"I believe that the entire siren warning system was deactivated sometime in the 1970's."

not in Longmont, Co.

they are putting up these huge "orwellian" towers everywhere !

[backhoe]

Sounds OK to me, but then, I grew up with this:

Cold War Civil Defense - CONELRAD

Information and links to CONELRAD and its successors, EBS and EAS. "At the first indication of enemy bombers approaching the United States, all television and FM radio stations will go off the air. ... standard (AM) stations will likewise go silent. The CONELRAD stations, 640 and 1240, are your surest and fastest ...

www.westgeorgia.org/conelrad

[Stoat]

Update to all:

The Drudgereport has discovered this story, and they are linking to this item:

BREITBART.COM - US unveils emergency alert system for mobile phones, computers

US unveils emergency alert system for mobile phones, computers Jul 12 3:12 PM US/Eastern

The US government unveiled a communications system that in case of emergency should soon allow it to send SMS alerts to Americans' mobile phones and computers.

"We have the ability to do this. It's a major step," Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Director David Paulson told reporters outside the US capital as he unveiled the program's design.

The Digital Emergency Alert System (DEAS) will include the participation of television networks and public radio stations and be based on an existing alert system built in the Cold War era for use in the event of a nuclear attack.

The new system will initially allow the government to quickly alert public organizations and first-aid groups in case of an emergency.

It is planned to become operational in southern and eastern states by the end of the year, and nationally at the end of 2007.

At the same time, the government said it will build a system that can also send alerts to mobile phone users and computers linked to the Internet.

The SMS messages will be sent out in case "something unfortunate has happened," said John Lawson, president and chief executive officer of the Association of Public Television Stations.

Internet-linked computers will automatically switch on to a video message from the US Department of Homeland Security while downloading instructions prepared specifically from natural disasters, chemical and nuclear attacks, and other calamities.

[Little_shoe]

I would think that your "regular price" is dictated by the phone company themselves not the manufacturer. They intentionaly inflate the price well beyond market value to make it seem like its cheaper to go into contract than afford the phone. Verizon especially likes to force you into a new contract whenever you change anything.

[Don Joe]

---

Internet-linked computers will automatically switch on to a video message from the US Department of Homeland Security while downloading instructions prepared specifically from natural disasters, chemical and nuclear attacks, and other calamities.

---

No they won't.

Not unless the government FORCES each person connected to the Internet to install a server application to sit on a port and listen for messages from the government, and display them.

I know of no such application -- and I know of no way to coerce people into running one -- nor for that matter do I know of any way to get something like that to run on older, slower computers on MODEM (read: SLOW) connections.

This is pure BS. Probably some mid-level effendi spent a bit too much time with his PowerPoint and decided to make a nice nifty blue-sky presentation to impress his bosses, and justify his salary.

This ain't gonna happen. Not the computer part, at least. They can probably pester people with cell phones that can accept text messages. Ours can't -- whew! :)

[Stoat]

Would the computer part be possible if the ISP's were to become involved?

Perhaps they could require a particular software application to be installed as part of their required connection software bundle. AOL is legendary for their hideous software requirements.....and AOL customers probably wouldn't even notice the addition of such an app.

I hadn't heard much screaming and gnashing of teeth from ISP's when the news about the Carnivore system came out some years ago....they went along with that like good little sheep.

[Don Joe]

Real ISPs don't have a "required connection software bundle."

I connect via Windows built-in PPP/TCP-IP networking. No software from my ISP. (Yes, they do have a "quick start" type CD available for newbies to help them get their networking set up to dial the right number, set up the right DNS, etc., but it's nothing mandatory, nor is it necessary.)

There is absolutely NOTHING that my ISP can do that would result in a video window popping up on my screen. Period.

As to Carnivore, that's a server-side "box" (as I understand it, a laptop, with a network card running in what is called "promiscuous mode", which means that it does NOT ignore packets not addressed to it). Basically, it sits on a shelf, with a single plug-in, and montors all traffic on the network. Insidious, sure -- but, "it's the law", and the ISP has no say in it.

That's neither here nor there vis-a-vis what's being touted in this latest announcement, though.

The only way they can accomplish what they are describing is to force each user to install an executable -- a server app, which sits on a port and listens for its "wake up call".

And, of course, once you let someone put an executable on your computer, he "owns" your computer. He can do anything with it that he likes, including keylogging, monitoring, reporting, etc.

Frankly I don't see this ever happening. The outrage would be unprecedented. Everyone from EFF to ACLU to LPUSA would pitch a bloody fit over it, and for good reason.

As I said before, I think it's nothing more than some blue-sky twaddle some mid-level bureaucrat whipped up in his Powerpoint presentation, with no consideration given to the realities involved in implementing something of that grand scale.

The Peter Principle has never been revoked, and it sure looks like whoever cooked up this scheme has risen nicely to his level of incompetence, if he really believes that computers can (short of hacking/cracking) be made to behave the way he describes.

[The Red Zone]

Have it call every single tracfone sold.

[Ciexyz]

And what would they tell me: bend over and kiss your a** goodbye?

[dalereed]

If they do, i'll never get it since I won't open a text message.

No one I know would send one and I sure as hell wouldn't send one.

[ladyinred]

ROTFL!

[daybreakcoming]

Well, as long as they let us know when a car chase in LA is happening.....I'm ok with it.

On a series note, I would rather FR devise some way to alert us to log in (like we weren't already) to an urgent event......like ring a bell or something. An audio ping if you will...

[Stoat]

I just re-read the article (a good thing to do considering that it was a month ago that I posted it), and they are actually not saying that they will send a "live" message to you over the internet to your puter; as far as the internet is concerned the messages will be viewable on web sites but they say nothing about any sort of "live" or forced messaging.

It seems that the only "active" messaging that they are contemplating is via cell phones and wireless PDA's.

Although they say that people can 'opt out' of the announcements, I have no doubt that if anything pertaining to this ever gets off the ground, it will be a shaky start at best.

If they start interrupting executives' business calls with irrelevant, old or useless messages, they will very quickly find their 'service' without any clients.

[myprecious]

Is there anyway to get off the gov's ping list?

I have been reading over on the pre-pay phone thread about the bad guys using cell phones to detonate IED's and other evil devises. Sending out a blanket phone call to all cell phone numbers might detonate someone's backpack prematurely. The "works-in-progress" might take out the terrorist before the plan.

[GOPJ]

bump

[Stoat]

Have it call every single tracfone sold.

nononononono!!  Momma stoat loves her TracFone    :-(

[Stoat]

 

Well, as long as they let us know when a car chase in LA is happening.....I'm ok with it.

hehe!  Everyone in the nation needs to know right away the next time O.J. leads the police on a slow-speed chase in his white Bronco, don't they?  :-)

On a series note, I would rather FR devise some way to alert us to log in (like we weren't already) to an urgent event......like ring a bell or something. An audio ping if you will...

Well, if you're not logged in already there's not much that the FR site can do but what you CAN do is to coordinate with your local Texas FReepers and have someone call you on the phone if something 'big" happens.  Are you receiving messages from your local Texas messaging board now?  If not, you can sign up for that and get to know some of the other Texas FReepers.  I'm sure that some of them would be happy to call you for 'major' events.

You can also start an Instant Messaging circle and get alerts via that, but you would of course need to be logged into your I.M. client.

[Stoat]

Where did you find this item from your earlier post?  Nothing like that is mentioned in the Local 6 article.

Internet-linked computers will automatically switch on to a video message from the US Department of Homeland Security while downloading instructions prepared specifically from natural disasters, chemical and nuclear attacks, and other calamities.

---

 

 

Internet-linked computers will automatically switch on to a video message from the US Department of Homeland Security while downloading instructions prepared specifically from natural disasters, chemical and nuclear attacks, and other calamities.

---

 

[Stoat]

DUH @ ME! It was in the second article that I posted!

((((embarrassed)))))

[jamaly]

Does this mean I can keep my cellphone on in the plane? Or will they call the phone in the seat in front of me? *\;-)

It will call the phone in front of you, take your picture to see if you are paying attention and also set off any liquid bombs nearby. Have fun flying. I think I'll drive.

[jamaly]

I believe that the entire siren warning system was deactivated sometime in the 1970's.

Not in any community I have lived in. They still go off at noon the first Thursday of every month and occasionally practice runs at other times. The neighborhood sirens work faithfully if we have a tornado nearby. I have never heard them go off if there is an accident at one of the chemical plants or refineries near us. I guess that is a good thing, so far.

[Rightwing Conspiratr1]

Those reading FR will know about IT long before your cell phone rings. ;-)

[Salvation]

**We interrupt your cell phone call with this important announcement: The government will soon be sending warnings of national emergencies on wireless phones, Web sites and hand-held computers. **

Sounds OK to me.