Disaster Alert System for Cell Phones

Apart from receiving disaster alerts through the television or radio, the FCC has now expanded to mobile phones and will be rolling out this feature in 2012 starting with New York city by the end of the this year with support from all the major carriers – AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint and Verizon.

This system will be known as PLAN – Personal Localized Alerting Network, which will allow customers of participating carriers to turn their mobile device into a personal alert system. The alerts will be in text message form and will be sent to the cell phones of those who need or want to be notified in the event of an emergency. These alerts will be targeted geographically so that people will only be receiving alerts based on where they live and relevancy.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, FEMA Administrator W. Craig Fugate, and executives from the major mobile carriers have gathered together today at the site of the World Trade Center to announce PLAN.

“Following the devastating tornadoes in the Southeast, we are witnessing yet again the critical role the public plays as part of our nation’s emergency management team,” Fugate said in a statement. “Making sure that they get useful and life-saving information, quickly and easily, right on their mobile phones, will help more people get out of harm’s way when a threat exists. This new technology could become a lifeline for millions of Americans and is another tool that will strengthen our nation’s resilience against all hazards.”

This seems like a pretty good idea as pretty much everyone has their mobile phones with them at all times therefore increasing the likelihood that you will be prepared in case of an emergency.