Government officials announced this week their commitment to new a cell phone text system designed to alert citizens before or during any natural or manmade disaster. Transportation and Telecommunications Minister Felipe Morandé and the ministry’s undersecretary Jorge Atton announced the system this week. The officials said they have high hopes for program, since nearly all Chileans now have a cellphone.
The system will be designed to send an early alert by text message concerning earthquakes, tsunamis, toxic chemical clouds or other natural or manmade disasters.  The text messages will also advise regarding the magnitude of the crisis, provide evacuation maps and advise regarding the length of the danger. The alert will go first to subscribers of the program – with no cost for signing up – then to all cellphones in the emergency zone.

The government hopes to use digital television to transmit these messages as well, although further research and design are necessary.

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