Non-profit social media expert Beth Kanter posted an interesting analysis of social media’s role in emergencies on her blog yesterday.
Indeed, the geo-platform Ushahidi, which allows users to crowdsource crisis information to be sent via mobile devices, assisted many survivors, aid workers, and organizations during the Haiti crisis (most would say it played a critical role). AWARE Forum did a spotlight on the crowdsourcing phenomenon back in June.
However, the question is whether or not social media is becoming a viable outlet for all sorts of other disasters, crises, or emergencies? Can the Ushahidi effect extend to our daily lives?
According to a new American Red Cross survey, 49 percent of web users would either “probably” or “definitely” use social media to “let loved ones know they are safe.” Also, 69 percent of web users expected emergency responders to be “monitoring social media sites” to send help; in fact, 74 percent expected help within an hour of their tweet or Facebook post.
This is a brand new phenomenon, and it’ll be interesting to see how emergency responders adapt within the next couple of years (especially in conjunction with traditional 9-1-1 calls). The rise of social media has given the general public a viable and extremely fast way of broadcasting their status—good or bad—to their family and friends, but there are few cases where such status updates have been used for such utilitarian purposes.
Twitter was originally started as a quick SMS service within small groups, to the great benefit of fire departments: now are they ready to listen outward?
For the original article on Beth’s blog, go here.
Let us know in the comments what you think: is social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) a viable option for emergencies updates and responses in your daily life?
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued its 2010 hurricane season forecast, predicting one of the strongest seasons on record — and reiterating fears that the Gulf oil spill may be impacted by the severe weather.
Hurricane season for the western Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico begins June 1 and lasts through Nov. 30. That’s when about 90 percent of the storms make themselves present, and the predictions for this season are grim — which could wreak further havoc on the Gulf coast. NOAA predicts as many as 23 named storms during the Atlantic hurricane season, with 3 to 7 becoming serious enough to be classified as major hurricanes. Named storms come with top winds of 39 mph or higher. The agency worries that as many as 14 could turn into hurricanes, with winds in excess of 74 mph, and 3 to 7 could be category 3, 4, or 5 storms with winds of at least 111 mph.
For more: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/05/27/active-hurricane-seasons-record-year-say-scientists/
Disseminating Relevant Information
According to a recent Pew Research public opinion poll, 26 percent of Americans receive their news and information from cell phones. Additionally the poll found that 43 percent of those under 50 receive news on their mobile phones. These two findings demonstrate an important factor when considering how best to modernize emergency alert notification systems as it has serious implications for enhancing the distribution of timely information. In particular, mobile phone technology adoption rates and the use of these ubiquitous devices as a main informational portal for civilians is a key component to re-engineering future alert systems.
Keeping this in mind, it’s vital to recognize the importance of cell phones and smartphones as a critical link to broadcasting emergency alerts to citizens. In December 2008, 32 percent of consumers used a smartphone. Compare that number with December 2009 when it increased to 42 percent of consumers. The figures are significant as the adoption rate of smartphones is projected by the Nielsen Company, a marketing and media information company, to reach 50 percent and begin to overtake feature phone adoption by the third quarter of 2011.
To read the entire article click here.
by Randy J. Stine, 02.17.2010
ANCHORAGE, Alaska A test of the Emergency Alert System that included the first planned activation of the Emergency Action Notification event code was likely just the first of several exercises the Federal Emergency Management Agency will take, seeking data to help plug coverage gaps in the planned next-gen EAS.
The EAN is the activation code that would allow the president of the United States to address the nation directly via broadcast radio stations, TV stations and cable outlets during a national emergency.
The Alaskan test in January was observed by a large contingent of FEMA and Federal Communications Commission personnel and was deemed a success by most involved despite a few glitches. The Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, the Alaska Broadcasters Association, the Federal Communications Commission and FEMA officials coordinated the event.
The Alaska Broadcasters Association provided this image for TV and cable systems to use during the test.
The overall success of the exercise will be measured in part by a statewide followup survey of radio and TV broadcasters by the Alaska Broadcasters Association.
The FCC has since proposed an annual nationwide test of the national alert capability of EAS in a subsequent rulemaking proposal and is asking for comments to EB Docket 04-296 (Radio World, Feb. 1).
For more click here: http://www.radioworld.com/article/94818
by Paul J. McLane, 02.02.2010
In an era of instant access to thousands of mass media and personal channels, one might wonder if the concept of a Cold War-style presidential alert capability is outdated.
The Federal Communications Commission’s Emergency Alert System rules are intended to ensure that national activation would enable the president to communicate with the public within 10 minutes from anywhere. Can we doubt that should the president need to reach the public in a crisis, he could do so without activating such an alert?
However, the philosophy among emergency planners is the more channels, the better. Federal authorities believe the idea of national EAS remains relevant and are putting in place plans for an annual national test. It means possible changes for your station including a requirement to provide certain information to the commission.
ALBANY, N.Y. State emergency administrators here are testing code written to interact with video gaming systems. They’re exploring the state’s ability to send alerts via online gaming networks.
New York authorities envision a time when important weather alerts and other information can penetrate the awareness of even the most diehard gamers, who otherwise might be ignorant of what’s happening in the world outside their family rooms or basements.
Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft and others operate online networks that allow players to compete with others around the world. State emergency planners, in concert with gaming console vendors, began conducting the tests late last year, officials said
WASHINGTON: Federal officials are planning to do the first nationwide test of the broadcast Emergency Alert System. FCC rules now provide for voluntary testing at the state and the local level, but not nationally. The FCC has issued a Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to change the rules governing the Emergency Alert System to conduct national testing at least once a year.
Click for more: http://www.televisionbroadcast.com/article/93250
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Alaskans tuning in to their radios and TVs Wednesday morning will witness the first national emergency exercise of its kind.
Radio, television and cable providers are participating with federal and Alaska partners in a live statewide test of the nation’s Emergency Alert System that’s employing a never-used code to be applied in a national crisis. The test, set to begin at 10 a.m. (AST), will help officials prepare for a future national exercise not yet scheduled, according to the state and federal officials.
The three-minute airing, to be activated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is unlike regular periodic tests aired by broadcasters. It’s the first official activation of the Emergency Action Notification code, which technically gives the president access to airwaves to address Americans during a national crisis.
More at: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-us-alaska-emergency-test,0,7539364.story
The Australian government has planned to implement a phone warning system, Mobile Emergency Alert system to aware the people during bushfire and floods. It is likely to be operational soon.
The system can send hundreds of text and voice messages quickly to inform the residents about the fire’s movements.
According to the officials, the final testing is being undertaken at Victorian coastal town of Torquay before taking it into confidence.
It is expected that, the Mobile Emergency Alert system will be functional from the next summer. The officials are also confident of avoiding the loss of lives unlike the February’s tragedy when almost 173 people died due to blazing fires.
’This is a system that will save lives, there’s no doubt about that,’ Victorian Premier John Brumby said.
‘It is a system that will get a message out to people quickly and efficiently in life-threatening situations,’ he added.
At present, the alert system can issue warnings to the registered landlines and mobiles. But, it will be covered to all other areas as well.
Emergency Services Commissioner Bruce Esplin said, ‘I’m very comfortable that something exists, and we need to now work through and make sure it will work; we are insistent in making sure that this system will work in the way we want it to on the days we need it most.’
The mobile emergency alert system will be operated by Telstra and can be used during life-threatening situations like fires, floods and storms through a bush fire incident controller.
The new system can send 300 text messages a second and 1000 voice messages a minute. And the system can be operational during emergencies only.
Source: http://www.india-server.com/news/mobile-emergency-alert-system-to-start-17039.html
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