An emergency alert system is an essential part of disaster mitigation. It combines various components, such as sensors, analytical tools, and communication technology. Nowadays, EASs are becoming more advanced. The National Wireless Emergency Alert System (NWEAS) from the US is one of them.
This country has been using this system for more than 12 years. Moreover, the wireless emergency alert system (WEAS) provides an effective and efficient method of disseminating warning messages during an emergency. Therefore, other countries needing to upgrade their EASs can adopt this system.
About the National Wireless Emergency Alert System
What is a wireless emergency alert? It is an alert sent to mobile phones using cell broadcast technology. Most developed countries have this type of emergency alert system to warn people in particular areas about a critical situation, such as a tornado, earthquake, or tsunami.
Different countries name their WEAS differently. For example, the US names its system National Wireless Emergency Alert System. This system is part of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System. The NWEAS will send short alert messages to people in targeted areas using cell broadcasters.
Meanwhile, those people will automatically receive these alerts on their cell phones. Therefore, they know what is happening or going to happen and what to do to respond to this situation.
A Brief History of NWEAS
The US government planned the technical requirements and operational procedures of the wireless alerting network in 2007 and 2008. However, it took 5 years for the government to finish this project. In 2012, the NWEAS disseminated its first wireless emergency alert to the public.
Since then, US authorities, such as NWS (National Weather Service), have disseminated wireless alerts to targeted areas. In its early operation, the NWS overused this system. However, now, this agency only uses NWEAS to distribute warnings on destructive weather hazards.
What Does Wireless Alert Message Look Like?
The emergency wireless alert message looks like a short message. However, this text will pop up on the cell phone’s home screen; not saved in the SMS inbox. Moreover, this text contains essential information about the emergency or hazard.
Therefore, cell phone users know what is the hazard, when will it occur, how long it will last, and what areas are affected by the hazard. In many cases, this message also contains short guidance on how to respond to the situation. Moreover, the cell phone will vibrate and ring a unique ringtone.
Cell phone users don’t need to turn their GPS on or subscribe to the National Wireless Emergency Alert System to get this warning message. The system will automatically disseminate the alert to cell phone users in areas with an active warning.
Types of Wireless Emergency Alerts
Emergency alerts sent by the NWEAS come in several types.
Imminent Alerts: These warning messages are typically about extreme weather, natural disasters, man-made disasters, active shooting, or other emergencies.
Public Safety Alerts: These warnings are less severe than the imminent alerts. They contain information about a threat or follow-up information after an imminent threat has occurred.
AMBER Alerts: These alerts inform cell phone users in particular communities about child-abduction cases. These alerts also suggest recipients what to do if they have information about the cases.
Presidential Alerts: Presidential alerts are about nationwide emergencies. It is only the president who can issue them. So far, none of the US presidents ever issued this type of alert.
Advantages of NWEAS
The NWEAS offers many advantages to society and the government. This system allows the government or authorities to immediately warn people about an emergency. Therefore, they have more time to take emergency responses.
In addition, this wireless emergency alerts system can reach more people compared to radio stations or TV channels. This is because not everyone accesses these two communication channels. Consequently, the wireless alert is effective in disseminating warning messages.
Recommended Products to Create WEAS
Other countries that plan to create an effective wireless emergency alert system, such as the NWEAS, must have the best cell broadcaster. This machine helps governments disseminate alerts quickly to all cell phone users in targeted areas.
The best cell broadcaster is Hitech Terminal broadcast machines. By using one of these machines, customers can disseminate an alert to thousands of people within minutes. Moreover, they can send it to people within a radius of up to 5 km.
These machines also offer other attractive features. Therefore, governments can meet their wireless emergency alert needs when they purchase these machines.
National Wireless Emergency Alert System is excellent for mitigating disasters and other emergencies in the US. Governments of different countries can create a system similar to the NWEAS if they use Hitech Terminal broadcasters. These machines are available on smsbroadcaster.com.
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